Julia Allen

1925 - 2024

After nearly 99 years on this earth, Julia Wellford Allen died peacefully on August 10, 2024. Throughout her long and rich life, she worked to build bridges across cultures, address social injustices and make everyone welcome in her home, her church and her community. She was a tireless volunteer and eager recruiter for countless nonprofit and church-related projects. She was never afraid to express her views on a topic if she thought she could make a positive change.

Born on October 20, 1925, in Memphis, Julia was the third of Harry and Roberta Prothro Wellford's four children. She graduated from Snowden School and the Hutchison School. At Southwestern (now Rhodes College) she met Ray Allen, whom she would marry. Julia and Ray's nearly 60-year marriage was a true partnership. She worked while Ray earned his Ph.D from Duke University and with him, led the Methodist student fellowship there. She supported Ray's faculty career at several small colleges while they started their family.

Julia and Ray returned to Memphis with their three young children in 1963. While Ray served as Dean of Admissions at Southwestern, Julia actively volunteered, serving as President of the Women of the Church, Deacon and Elder at her beloved Idlewild Presbyterian Church. In the wake of the unrest of 1968, she felt called to help heal tensions in the city through active service. Julia became the Executive Secretary of MIFA (Metropolitan Interfaith Association) and recruited many of MIFA's initial VISTA volunteers. Later, she directed volunteer opportunities for Rhodes College students as a Kinney program coordinator. At Idlewild, she organized several mission service trips to Central America in the 1980s.

Ray and Julia loved to travel with family and friends, especially to Germany where they made many new connections. After Ray's death in 2007, Julia moved to Trezevant Manor and promptly organized a volunteer program there to tutor refugees in English skills. She stayed active until well into her 90s.

Julia loved her family unconditionally. She is survived by her three children, Julie Allen (Bill) Berger of St. Louis, MO, Ray M. (Louise) Allen, Jr. of Memphis and Katherine M. Allen (Richard Page) of State College, PA. She adored her eight grandchildren Sam, Marian, Briar (Flann), Bryan, Charlie (Elyssa), John, Nathan, and Louise as well as her sister, Mary (Bill) Ford of Grand Rapids, MI, and many cherished nieces, nephews and cousins. The family deeply appreciates the creative support of Julia's personal caregivers in her final years, Linda Smith, Debra Walls, Shante Stallion, and Hazel Broadie as well as the Trezevant staff.

A memorial service will be held at Idlewild Presbyterian Church on Monday, August 19 at 1 p.m. with visitation at Canale Funeral Directors on Sunday, August 18 from 4 - 6 p.m.

The Idlewild service on Monday at 1pm will be live-streamed on https://www.youtube.com/@idlewild.church/streams .

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to MIFA, Idlewild Presbyterian Church or Rhodes College, all in Memphis, TN.