Grace Allen

COLUMBIA - Grace Barber Collins Allen passed away peacefully on November 3, 2022, surrounded by her family. Grace was born on April 28, 1931, in Franklin, N.C., to a life defined by a deep faith in God, serving others, and a profound love for her family. The only daughter of Edith and Barnett Bates, she spent her early adult years in Charlotte, N.C. and San Antonio, Texas, before making her home in Columbia, S.C.

In 1959, the year she moved to Columbia, Grace joined Saint Martin’s-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church. She remained a faithful member until the end of her life except for a seven-year period when she moved to Lake Murray. Grace and her husband, Cleve Barber, were founding members of Saint Alban’s Episcopal Church in Lexington, S.C., and were instrumental in growing the new parish into a mature church. Grace was honored to serve as the first female Senior Warden of Saint Alban’s. Upon her return to Saint Martin’s, Grace picked up right where she left off as an active member, serving as president of the Women of the Church and on the Saint Martin’s Foundation Board.

In her younger years, Grace enjoyed modeling professionally in San Antonio, Texas, and South Carolina. She served on numerous fashion boards throughout the state and modeled in many fashion shows over the years. Her favorite fashion shows were always the ones that supported charities. Her elegance and sense of fashion remained with her until her last days and her love for style and classic clothing were reflected every day in her wardrobe.

For over 20 years, she served as Sales Manager for Boineaus, Allied Van Lines. As a pioneer for women in this business, Grace found herself ahead of her time in leadership roles and earning accolades normally awarded to men.

Opting for a change in careers, she began her work as a travel agent in 1985 at Forest Lake Travel. Grace became well known for her attention to detail and creating the perfect trip for her clients. She established her own business, Grace Travel, in the early 1990s and specialized in leading groups to numerous destinations. She achieved her personal goal, which was to visit each of the seven continents, before her retirement in 2019. Grace truly enjoyed an exciting, successful career in travel, her favorite trip was a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in the 1980s.

Grace was also a leader in the Columbia civic community. She served as an officer of the Columbia Sales and Marketing Executives group. She loved Columbia so much when she relocated that she served as the President of the Columbia Newcomers Club. She was a member and an officer of the Junior Woman‘s Club. Grace chaired the Club’s Red Stockings Review, a well-known fundraiser for the group’s beloved outreach project, Happy Times Center for Special Needs Children. Grace was also an active member of the Fort Jackson Retired Officers’ Wives Club.

Grace was an avid Gamecock fan, attending most home games for over thirty years, and traveling extensively with the team to away football and baseball games. An exceptional bridge player for most of her life, she was a member of several bridge clubs throughout the years. Playing bridge kept her mind sharp, as did completing her daily crossword puzzle. She played her last game of bridge just weeks before her death. Her bridge club members will serve as her honorary pallbearers.

She is survived by her daughter, Patricia (Patti) Hooper Trotter; her granddaughters Jessica Grace Trotter Shand (Peter), Jordan Trotter Smythe (Andy), and Alyson Trotter Stuckey (Ryan). She is also survived by her five great-granddaughters, who treasured her as “Gigi”: Audrey Davis, Bayon Davis, Grace Shand, Louisa Shand and Charlotte Stuckey. Grace is also survived by many dear friends, bridge clubs, and her St. Martin’s family, whom she adored.

Grace was predeceased by her parents and her husbands, Marion Cleveland (Cleve) Barber in 1977, Colonel (Ret.) Edward Joseph Collins in 1985, and Sam Waters Allen in 2016.

A celebration of Grace’s life will be held on Friday, November 11th at 11:00 am at Saint Martin’s-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, 5220 Clemson Avenue, Columbia, S.C. 29206. There will be a private burial prior to the service, and a reception will be held in the Parish Hall following the service.

In celebration of Grace’s life, the family welcomes memorials given to the Saint Martin’s-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church Foundation.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.