Della Allen

Della Jane Allen of Bladenboro entered the arms of her Heavenly Father on January 23, 2018. Della was 84 years old. Born in 1933 to Johnny Russ and Rosa Guyton Russ, Della touched the lives of all who knew her. She met the love of her life, Wilbur Allen, as a teen and they were married over 50 years until his death in November 2005. Together they had three treasured daughters and raised their beloved granddaughter, Michelle, from the age of six months old. Della loved to sing with Wilbur while he played the piano and after Wilbur passed she became a soloist. She taught preschool Sunday school at New Light PFWB Church for many years and later all ages at Peace Baptist Church in Bladenboro.

Della is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and two brothers, Robert Charles (R.C.) Russ and Durwood Russ of Bladenboro. She leaves behind two sisters, Elizabeth (Lib) Merritt of Bladenboro, and Doris McLamb of Bladenboro. She is also survived by her four beloved children, Wanda Dale Kicklighter of Georgia, Marilyn Sue Wald-Jacobsen of Cleveland, Tennessee, Dianne Jackson of Bladenboro, and Michelle Behvand McIlwain of Burlingame, California. Surviving grandchildren are Jonathan Hinson of Chadbourn; Crystal, Seana, and Ali Walsh of Wilmington; Kayla Jackson of Joplin, Missouri; and Sherry Johnson of Elizabethtown. Della was especially proud of her seven great-grandchildren, Gabby, Laila, Suri, Jonathan Jr., Alaina, Solace, Paisley, and Celeste. Della is also survived by her loving cat, Grey Eyes.

Viewing will be held at Bladen-Gaskins funeral home in Elizabethtown from 6pm-8pm on Saturday, January 27. The funeral will be held at Clarkton PFWB Church followed by a burial at Memory Lane Cemetery in Bladenboro. Della will be laid to rest next to her husband, Wilbur, and will remain in the hearts of her loved ones always, never to be forgotten. Della is now singing in heaven with her "favorite piano player".