Jean Allen

Barbara “Jean” Smith Allen, age 86, of Forest City, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.

Jean was born August 7, 1939 to the late Clarence Berry Smith and Elsie Johnson Smith. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. In 1960 she married the Love of her Life, James William Craig Allen. Jean was a faithful member of Gray’s Creek Baptist Church and had a special bond with her Harris High Class of 1958 classmates. Jean worked as a Cafeteria Manager at Dunbar Elementary School for twenty-nine years and retired after a long and successful career.

She is survived by her only child, Sharon Lowery of Rutherfordton; grandchildren, Brandy Morris (Shane) of Forest City and Neil Lowery (Jenn) of Mooresboro; great grandchildren, Destiny Greene and Hayden Burns both of Forest City. Jean is also survived by her older sister, Ann Smith of Forest City and by multiple nephews and nieces.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of fifty-three years, James Allen; brothers, Berry and Larry Smith; sister, Nyoka Melton and nephew, Dana Smith.

The family will receive friends form 5:00 until 7:00 pm on Tuesday, December 2nd at Harrelson Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, December 3rd at Gray’s Creek Baptist Church with Reverend Bryan Ezell and Mr. Donald Honeycutt officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to Gray’s Creek Baptist Church, 751 Gray’s Creek Church Road, Rutherfordton, NC 28139.