Clara Allen

Clara Allen of Swannanoa, NC, passed away at the age of 90 after a short illlness on July 23, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. 

Clara (aka Mama, Mamaw, Sis) was born on May 11, 1934 to Joseph Theodore Lewis and Revonda Brown Lewis (Rhew) in Azalea, NC. She was a life-long resident of Buncombe County.

A true pioneer woman with bright blue eyes, Clara lived on the side of a mountain. For a time, she traded furs and ginseng and cultivated huge vegetable gardens. Kind-hearted and softspoken, she loved to quilt with friends and crocheted everything imaginable including snow flakes. She served as President of the Methodist Women’s organization at Azalea United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and was a current member of East Asheville United Methodist Church.

Clara is predeceased by her parents, husband Thurman Allen, stepfather Arnold (Gabe) Rhew, siblings Theodore (Tink) Lewis, Wayne Lewis, and Linda Rhew.

She is survived by children Cindy Inman (Rick), Cheri Denison (Scott), and Dewayne Allen (Tiffany); siblings Samuel Lewis, Judy Jones, Edna Crowe, and Susan Rhew;
stepdaughters Diane Leyting and Debbie Miller; grand-children Andrew, April, Ashley, Hunter, Jason, Thurman (TW), Serenity, Spencer, and Tristen; and five great grandchildren.

The memorial service will be officiated by Reverend Phill Hurst at East Asheville United Methodist Church on July 29, 2024. Visitation is at 11am. Service is at 12pm. Interment to follow at Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice. Clara was personally partial to St. Jude’s. 

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