Mary Irene Merrell Allen

Mary Irene Merrell Allen, a native of Polk county and lived the majority of her life in Bradley county, passed away Sunday, April 29, 2018 in an Chattanooga hospital.  She was a member of Big Springs Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school for many years.  She was retired from Bradley County Family Resource after numerous years of service.  She loved Elvis, photography of nature and wildlife, collecting cookbooks and gave generosity to families in need.

She was preceded in death by her parents, J.H. and Beulah Mae Merrell and three sisters, Oleta Birchfield, Willonell Greene and Anita Lee.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Lewis Allen of Cleveland; children, Keith (Kaye) Allen of Knoxville and Robin (Brian) Beck of Cleveland; grandchildren, Toren and Casey Beck and sisters, Elizabeth (Buster) Carroll of Delano and Vondell (Henry) Morgan of Reliance; several nieces, nephews and other extended family members.

Funeral services will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Brother Daniel Malone officiating. Private family services will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens on Thursday.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the; Cleveland-Bradley County Public Library, 795 Church Street NE, Cleveland, TN 37311.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Allen family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com