Gretchen Allen

Gretchen McLaughlin Allen, 87, of 11792 NC Hwy 41 West, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, February 28th.

Funeral services will be conducted Friday, March 3rd, at 11:00 AM at Hickory Grove Baptist Church, Center Road, Bladenboro, with burial to follow in church cemetery.  Visitation will be held Thursday, March 2nd, at Bladen-Gaskins funeral home in Elizabethtown, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Franklin Allen, and her brother Vincent McLaughlin.

She is survived by her daughters, Karen Davis (Harold), Barbara Kaye Kidd (Mike), and son, Jim Allen (Carole):  two grandsons, Bridger Martin (Charlotte) and Stephen, and Adam Martin (Ashlynn) and Magnolia and Silas; a sister, Margie Smoak, and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was a homemaker, mother, grandmother, and friend. She always spoke highly of others and offered encouragement to those in need. She had the ability to find the good in every situation and in every person, even when it was difficult for others to see.  Her smile was infectious and love for others was unconditional. She was always ready with a kiss on the cheek and a “Hey sugar!” when you walked through the door.  Although she had a rolodex of ways to politely decline invitations to social gatherings, she loved spending time with her family and loved ones. She lived life on her own terms in a way that could only be admired by her friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Gideons International Processing Center, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251.