Imogene O. Allen, 94, of Wheatland Hills in Radford, Virginia went to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 2nd, 2011. Miss Gene was born on December 29th, 1916 in Carroll County, Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Ellis and Edna Robinson. Miss Gene was raised in Hillsville and lived her life in southwest Virginia. She was a member of the Pine Grove Primitive Baptist Church for much of her life. Miss Gene was, above all things, a loving mother and wife. She was married to the late Clarence E. Allen of Dublin, Virginia for nearly 50 years. In that time, they had three children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Gene loved to spend time just talking and getting to know people. Everyone she met was richer for the joy, humor and zest she brought to life. She greatly enjoyed arts and crafts such as knitting and crocheting as well as her always abundant vegetable garden. Most importantly, Miss Gene was enormously proud of her family. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the great joy of her life. Miss Gene lived a life of love and purpose. While she will be sorely missed by those of us who knew and loved her, we are so fortunate to have been able to call her wife, mom, grandma, sister or friend these many years. It is of great comfort to know we will one day meet again.

Miss Gene was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence E. Allen, her daughter, Brenda Sue Covey, her brother, Thornton Robinson and sisters Marie Rotenizer, Nadine Stone and Mabel Earles.

She is survived by brother and sister-in-law Lonnie and Pauline Robinson of Hillsville, VA and brother and sister-in-law Hawthorne and Veda Robinson also of Hillsville, VA. She is survived by son and daughter-in-law Garry and Debbie Allen of Midlothian, VA and daughter and son-in-law Barbara and Charles Epperly of Radford, VA. Her surviving grandchildren are John Epperly and wife Kim Epperly of Fredericksburg, VA, Robbie Epperly of Coventry, RI, Amy Epperly of Fredericksburg, VA and Katharine Allen of Fairfax, VA. Miss Gene is further survived by two great-grandchildren, Matthew Epperly of New London, CT and Michael Epperly of Fredericksburg, VA as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 1-2 PM on Wednesday, January 5th, 2011 at the Pine Grove Primitive Baptist Church in Hillsville, Virginia. The funeral will commence at 2 PM followed by burial in the Allen-White Family Cemetery adjacent to the church. Elder Steve Gayheart will officiate.

The family would like to extend their deepest thanks and gratitude to the staffs of Wheatland Retirement Center and Carilion Hospice Care for their tender and attentive care of Miss Gene. The family would also like to thank everyone for their prayers and condolences during this difficult time.