Audrey Boyd Allen

Audrey Boyd Allen
'Mimi'
Mrs. Allen, formerly of Charlotte, went to be with our Lord and to be reunited with loved ones in heaven on March 1, 2009. She was born in Miami, FL to William and Elenore Boyd. She was the loving wife of Gilbert 'Da' Wood Allen. They were married 54 years when he died in 2001. She was a resident of Charlotte for 45 years before she moved to Knoxville, TN in 2006.
Mimi is survived by her three daughters and her sons-by-love, Susan and Gary Henderson of Knoxville, TN, Nancy and Bill Shaddix of Ormond Beach, FL and Melinda and Fred Shackelford of Davidson, NC. She loved and was very proud of her grandchildren, Gary Brock Henderson, Dr. Michael Allen Henderson and Jenni, Melinda Elizabeth Henderson Dabbs and Roger, and Daniel Glenn Darrell and Beverly. She also had the joy and love of having six great-grandchildren, Alex, Haley, Sydney, and Nathan Henderson and Sierra Darrell and Michail Wolf.
During high school she was editor of the school paper, a cheerleader, and Captain of the Victory Corps during WWII in Ft. Pierce, FL. She attended Florida Southern College where she was active in the Delta Zeta Sorority, Hospitality to others was a hallmark of her life. She was a hostess with Welcome Wagon in Memphis, TN. Mimi and Da opened their hearts and home to many people. They were very involved with the Friendship Force in the l950's in Birmingham, AL. She was known as Mama Allen to many international students at UNCC and area colleges in the late '60's and early '70's, The Allens opened their home to them every Sunday evening and holidays. Mimi was known for having a full cookie jar. With her ever present sense of humor she would tease and sing 'Who took the cookie from the cookie jar?'
Mimi started Brownie Scout troops in Jackson, MS and Birmingham, AL where, fittingly, she was the cookie chairman. Mimi made beautiful smocked and Princess dresses for the little girls in her life. She enjoyed china painting, wildflower gardening, and flower arranging. Mimi started two garden clubs, one in Birmingham, AL and the second in Charlotte, NC. A project close to her heart was the garden created by the Beverly Bloomers Garden Club for Holy Angels in Belmont, NC, where parents could visit with their children.
She was predeceased by her parents, her sister Barbara McNabb, and her brothers Bill and Glenn Boyd, and her son- by-love Mike Crosby.
A celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at Little Church on the Lane, where she was an active member. The family will receive friends after the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to Little Church on the Lane-Sierra Leone Project, 522 Moravian Lane, Charlotte, NC 28207; Salvation Army, 409 N. Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917; or Hospice.
Harry and Bryant Company is assisting the Allen Family.