Shirley Ann Webster Allen

Shirley Ann Webster Allen of 308 Maplewood Drive, Eden entered the church triumphant on May 5 following a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer���?�??s disease. A funeral service will be held Friday May 7, 2010 at 11:00 am at Fair Funeral Home Chapel with The Reverend Kyle Allen of Cary Presbyterian Church, Cary and The Reverend Tom Allen of First Baptist Church, Southern Pines. Following the service, the interment will be held at Ridgeview Cemetery, Eden Born February 25, 1933 to the late James Aldean Webster and Laura Weddle Webster, Shirley was predeceased by her beloved brother and former Wake Forest Law Professor, James Aldean Webster, Jr. (June). Shirley is survived by her cherished husband of 54 years, William Herman Allen, Jr.; her devoted brother-and sister-in-laws, William Thomas and Elizabeth (Lib) Pate Allen of Bunn Level and Alice Jowdy Webster of Winston-Salem; her beloved sons and daughter-in-laws, James Thomas (Jim) and Diane Lepping Allen of Hendersonville, Tennessee, and David Kyle (Kyle) and Elizabeth (Beth) Patton Allen of Cary; her five loving grandchildren, Tyler, Meredith, Courtney, Elizabeth and Mark; and her caring nephews and niece Dean, Marc and Gloria Webster and Tom Allen. Shirley, a graduate of Wake Forest University, served the Eden community in a variety of ways. For 32 years, she taught in Eden City Schools, devoting her life to teaching children academically, socially and emotionally to be responsible citizens. With expertise in Language Arts, North Carolina History, Earth Science, and Math, she taught the gifted and talented, pushing them to excel and to use their God-given intellects to their fullest capacity. She also had a very special place in her heart for children who were not as academically talented, especially those who were underprivileged and who came from less than ideal home situations. By taking a caring and vested interest in them, she boosted their self-esteem and enabled them to grow and achieve beyond what they and others ever expected. Shirley was also a committed member of the Eden Historic Preservation Commission where she served many faithful years as a board member. Projects where her keen leadership was key were in the planning and development of Freedom Park and the mill renovation on Flint Hill. As a faithful and long-time member of First Presbyterian Church, Eden, Shirley moved with the congregation from its beginnings on Early Avenue near the Boulevard, to its second location on Bridge Street, to its present location on Southwood Drive. When her health permitted, she attended worship regularly, served as a church office volunteer and supported the life and ministry of the church in many other quiet, less visible ways. Always supportive of Herman in his church work as an elder, choir member and former clerk of session, and intentional about raising her sons in the Christian faith, Shirley���?�??s deep devotion to God served the congregation, her family and the community well. At her passing, the Allen family wishes to thank Certified Nursing Assistant, Bobby Hampton, for the great care and compassion he has shown us. For the last six years, Bobby has been a wonderful caregiver to our parents. Calling her ���?�?�Sunshine,���?т�� he tended to Shirley in every way and treated her with great dignity, love and respect. He has done the same for Herman, and will continue to do so. For his exceptional care and love, the family is most grateful. The Allen family also wishes to thank the many doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals of Morehead Hospital and The Brian Center of Eden for their exceptional care of our mother and family. Especially, we want to express our deep, deep thanks for the end of life care shown to Shirley during her stay at Hospice of Rockingham County, Incorporated. Your tenderness and gentleness toward mom and our family accompanied us along the way and made our journey with mom into that life after life a true blessing. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening, 6 - 8 PM at Fair Funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to one or more of the following: The First Presbyterian Church, Eden, Building Fund, The R. Duane Best Auditorium Seat Replacement Project or The Hospice of Rockingham County, Incorporated. Online condolences may be offered to the Allen family at www.fairfuneralhome.com