Smitty Lester Allen was born on December 15, 1940 to Ms. Mary L. Brown and the late Mr. Otis Peebles. He departed this life on September 1, 2011. Smittty attended and graduated from Davie County Training School in Mocksville, NC. He retired from the Hanes/Sara Lee Corporation after over forty years of dedicated work. Smitty was a faithful and active member of Mt. Sinai AME Zion Church in Advance, NC helping out in whatever capacity he was needed. Smitty was an avid racing fan. You could find him at Bowman Gray Stadium or wherever there was Nascar. When he wasn’t watching cars go around the track, he could be found under the hood of one fixing something. Smitty had a memory like none other. He could tell you the when, where, and why of just about any event that happened during his life span.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Miss Betty Jean Mack. He leaves to cherish his memory, a faithful and loving wife, Shirley Allen; son, DeVore (Elzatha) Holman, Sr.; two daughters: Sharon and Sonya Allen; five grandchildren: DeVore D. Holman, Jr., Samuel Allen, Allen Walcott, Elane Allen and Smitty L. Allen, II; his caring mother, Mary L. Brown; loving sister-in-law, Carolyn Cunningham; two brothers-in-law, Lonnie (Romesena) Holman and Franklin Holman; a host of cousins, family and friends.

Smitty touched many lives in many ways and will be missed by all. Though his physical presence on this earth has gone, he will live forever in our hearts, minds and souls. We love you, Smitty!

Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at Mt. Sinai AME Zion Church in Advance, NC with Rev. Dr. Karen Roberts Miller. Interment in West Lawn Gardens of Memory