“Even though our time in this life is temporary, if we live well enough, our legacy will last forever.” What a wonderful legacy Mrs. Charlotte Ann Smith Allen left on this world as she passed away peacefully Tuesday December 17, 2024, at Diversicare Health &Rehab in Ripley.
Funeral Services honoring Ms. Charlotte’s life will be held at 2 PM Monday December 23, 2024, in the Heritage Chapel of the Ripley Funeral Home with Bro. Kenny James officiating. Visitation will be from 12 Noon until time of service at Ripley Funeral Home on Monday December 23, 2024. Burial will follow in Marlow Church of Christ Cemetery.
Born on September 18, 1943, in Hood River, Oregon, Ms. Charlotte was the daughter on the late Vester Thurmond Smith and Thelma Campbell Smith Ferrell. Growing up in Walnut all of her life, she was a graduate of Walnut High School and was employed with Shopezy for thirty years before her retirement. Many friends she made during her time at Shopezy, as she always greeted folks with a warm smile, shared many conversations and laughs with various people, and was loved by everyone she met. Although it is unsure of how they met and by the good Lord’s fate they did, in 1994, Ms. Charlotte and Mr. Doyle Barkley’s paths crossed and for thirty years they were sweethearts, making and cherishing wonderful memories together.
A Christian and member of Marlow Church of Christ, favorite pastimes included reading, watching gameshows on television as she was Bob Barker’s biggest fan, and being the best “Granny” while spoiling her much adored grandchildren. A golden rule follower and woman who believed faithfully in the bible verse Luke 6:31, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”, Ms. Charlotte never shied away from sharing her famous quote, “What goes around, comes around”. Her bright personality, gentle spirit, and kindness left a lasting impression on everyone she met, and these qualities were hallmarks of the life she lived.
Although she loved her family more than life itself, Ms. Charlotte was faced with many trials in life as she lost a son at birth, her only daughter, Melissa, a few years ago, and her longtime partner, Doyle only five months ago, so it’s with comfort knowing she is finally home with all those she has missed dearly. We look forward to the day we can all be reunited in Heaven together and how sweet Christmas will be this year, as Tommy and Melissa got to see their mother and Mr. Doyle got to see his sweetheart once again. How lucky were we to have had something so great and be loved by someone who was so wonderful.
Memories will continue to be shared by her bonus children, Lisa Conely, Vicki Bolden, Eddie Barkley, and David Barkley, three grandchildren, Charlotte “Charley” Maijala (Johnathan), Drew Brooks, and Laura Ray, nine great grandchildren, Anthony “Tony”, Jackson, Eleanore “Elly”, Cheyenne, Jasmin “Taco”, Paige, Jake, Braxton, and Brayden, and a host of family and friends.
She is preceded in death by two brothers, two sisters, one son, Tommy Dale Allen, one daughter, Melissa Brooks, and her partner, Doyle Eugene Barkley.
Ripley Funeral Home invites you to share memories with Ms. Charolette’s family.
