Ruth Elizabeth Allen

Ruth (May) Allen, 88, of Stanley passed away peacefully on Saturday December 16, 2017. She was at home surrounded by her loving family. Ruth was born and raised in the Nantahala Community of Macon County, North Carolina. She later moved to Gaston County where she raised her five children. Ruth was a devoted wife and mother who loved her Lord and her family dearly. She enjoyed walking. The family considered the last 25 years of her life the most precious time. Ruth will be greatly missed by her family and many dear friends.

Ruth is the daughter of the late Irene (Wilson) May and E.B. May. She was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, Garland L. Allen, her daughter Trudy Ennis of Greensboro, her sister Clara Allen and brothers Mark and Thad May.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters Judy Stamey and husband Wayne of Gastonia, Diane McGee and husband Ricky of Mt. Holly, and sons James Allen and wife Susan of Belmont and Eric Allen of Mt. Holly. Ruth is also survived by sisters-in-law; Janice Allen of Stanley, Faye May of Peach Tree, Lorene Hacker of Iowa and Sheila Cook of Hayesville.

Missing their grandmother are her grandchildren Michael Stamey and wife Catherine, Stephanie Fields and husband Kevin, Kevin McGee, Mark Allen, Emily Allen and Nicole Allen. Also grieving her loss are her great-grandchildren, Zoya, Sierra, Cole and Wyatt Stamey and Easton and Rawlings McGee and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life for Ruth will be at 1:00 PM Wednesday December 20, 2017 at Carothers Funeral Home Chapel, 412 South Main Street, Stanley. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Pastor Joe Lawing of Unity Baptist Church will offer words of encouragement and hope to family and friends who gather to remember Ruth.

Graveside and interment will be held following the services at Hillcrest Gardens in Mt. Holly.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Gaston County Hospice for their tender care of Ruth in her last days.

Those who wish to offer expressions of sympathy and share fond memories, please visit Ruth’s guest book at: www.carothersfuneralhomestanley.com

The family of Ruth Allen has entrusted her care to the staff at the Carothers Funeral Home in Stanley. We are deeply honored.