Ruth Allen

Heaven’s choir gained a new alto when Ruth Allen went home to be with the Lord on August 15, 2013. A celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, August 19, 2013 (her 94th birthday) at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, with burial following at Ft. Benning. The family will receive friends from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, August 18 at Striffler-Hamby.

Ms. Allen was born on August 19, 1919 in Slocumb, AL, to the late Mary Emma Smith and Sylvan Daniel Smith. Her family moved to Akron, Ohio during the Depression, where she graduated from East High School and attended business college. Her varied career included owning and operating her own beauty salon, working as a secretary, and owning and operating Anthony Mobile Homes in Columbus, GA, where she worked until her mid-80s.

Ms. Allen loved to praise God through gospel music. She grew up singing in gospel quartets and church choirs. As a young girl, she and her uncle, Rev. James D. Smith, shared the gospel together at singings and revivals in Ohio and in Columbus, GA, where Rev. Smith founded Temple Baptist Church. Later, she became a faithful member of Edgewood Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir until she was in her late 80s. She also served as President of the Columbus Ft. Benning Shrine Club Guardettes Ladies Auxiliary and loved being a Red Hat Lady. She was playful and was known to “cut a rug.” She was highly optimistic and reminded everyone that she was the happiest great grandmother they would ever see.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Frank Allen, brothers Jim Smith and Moody Smith, sister Jean Zuver, son-in-law Jerry Willey and two former husbands, Frank Godfrey and Glenn Anthony. The picture of unconditional love, she was fiercely loyal to her family, who loved her deeply.

She leaves to cherish her memory, daughter Connie Willey of Mogadore, Ohio and daughter and son-in-law Debbie and Dan Caballero of Ellerslie, GA; grandchildren Jerry G. Willey of Mogadore, OH; Ruth Cole (Chuck) of Brimfield, OH; Kathy Willey (Harold) of Atwater, OH; and Cara Eichler (Ron) of Randolph, OH; Nathan Caballero (Lindsey) of Atlanta, GA; Joseph Caballero of Columbus, GA and 9 great grandchildren. Her extended family included loyal caregiver Betty Black and the wonderful staff of Columbus Hospice. She was a Proverbs 31 woman, and her children now rise up and call her blessed.

Please visit www.shcolumbus.com to express condolences.