Margaret Elizabeth Cole Allen, 81, of Raeford, passed away Sunday morning, January 6 at The Crossings at Wayside following an extended battle with heart disease. She was born in the Harnett County community of Spouts Springs near Barbeque Church in 1937 to Alex James Cole and Ada MacLean Cole. The family later moved to Scotland County, where she completed 12 years in the same building at Laurel Hill School. Following high school graduation, she completed a diploma course at the National School of Commerce in Charlotte before marrying Eddie Hurley Allen Jr. of Raeford in 1956.
The couple traveled the world in his career with the U.S. Air Force, living in Louisiana, Newfoundland, Arizona, Germany, and Indiana. While managing a career and a household, they also raised four boys before returning to Hoke County just prior to his retirement. With the boys nearly grown, she began a career in public schools, first working with Don Steed at Hoke County High School and later as a teacher's assistant at South Hoke Elementary and Sandy Grove Elementary. After retirement, she remained active in the Raeford United Methodist Church, the Hoke County Humane Society, and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Masonic Lodge.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, James William Cole. She is survived by her husband of 62 years; by sons James Michael (Mike) of Cary, and his wife Janet and Lewis Daniel (Dan) of Oklahoma City,Oklahoma and his wife Therese; David Randall Allen and his wife Janet of Ormond Beach, Florida, and Dr. Charles Dale Allen and his wife Xan of Raeford. She also has nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
The family will receive visitors Thursday, January 10 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Crumpler Funeral Home in Raeford. The funeral will be held at the Raeford United Methodist Church Friday, January 11, 2019 at 3 p.m. with burial to follow at the Raeford Cemetery. The family requests donations in lieu of flowers to the Raeford United Methodist Church.
Condolences to the family may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com