CHARLOTTE — Viola (Vi) Allen, formerly of Rockingham, North Carolina, died on May 13, 2009 at White Oak Manor in Charlotte, North Carolina, having lived a full and rich life. She was born in Dallas, North Carolina, the first child of Benjamin Thomas and Emma Cloninger Lineberger. She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-nine years, William Leo Allen, by her younger son, Robert Hogan Allen, and by a grandson, Allen Ryan Todd. She was also preceded in death by three sisters and two brothers: Margaret L. Patterson, Lucille L. Sanford, Elizabeth L. Hall, Giles Benjamin Lineberger and Lloyd Odell Lineberger. Fred Allen, brother to Vi’s husband, Leo, and Fred’s wife, Pauline also predeceased her leaving their son, Fred and his wife Jayne of Concord, NC who join us in gratitude for her life.

Vi charmed others with her modest demeanor and her keen sense of humor. A quintessential mother and homemaker, she cooked wonderful meals and sewed beautiful clothes. She delighted many with her finely crafted gifts of knitted, crocheted, cross-stitched, and needle pointed pieces and later on by her painted pottery. A member of the First United Methodist Church and the Order of the Eastern Star in Rockingham, North Carolina, she also served at the local hospital, at blood banks, and whenever called upon in the schools that her five children attended.

Viola is survived by two sisters, Edna L. Williams, and Bobbie L. Cox, by her daughter, Margaret Allen Opitz and Margaret’s husband Hal; her son William Leo Allen, Jr. and his wife Ginger; her twin daughters, Mary Allen Todd and Nancy Allen Larsen and Nancy’s husband Les; and by her daughter-in-law Becky Allen. Surviving also are eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Her granddaughter, Judy Allen Latham was one of her major caregivers. The adult children of Irving and Katherine Long of Rockingham – Carolyn, Irving, Jr., Linda, Joyce, and Barbara – became a special addition to Vi’s family after the death of both of their parents. They honored her through the years and held a special place in her heart. They and Vi’s many nieces and nephews also honor her life and mourn her passing. She asked little and gave so much.

Gifts to the Allen Ryan Todd Memorial Scholarship, a fund to help young people entering the educational and health services fields, set up in memory of Viola’s grandson, may be sent to the North Carolina Community College System, 5016 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699; The First United Methodist Church, Rockingham, North Carolina 28379, or to a cause dear to the donor’s heart. Her family is grateful for your expressions of kindness. We also appreciate the professional and tender care our mother received from the staff, nurses, and caregivers at White Oak Manor where she has resided for over two years.

A service celebrating her life will be held in the chapel at Rockingham First United Methodist Church on Friday, May 15 at 2:00 o’clock.

Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham is in charge of arrangements for interment in The Eastside Cemetery, Rockingham, North Carolina.

Online condolences may be made at www.watson-kingfuneralhome.com

— Paid obituary

Richmond County Daily Journal

Friday, May 15. 2009