Carlshella Mae (Gannaway) Allen

To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. - Corinthians 5:8

Mother Carlshella Mae Gannaway Allen also affectionately known as “Chris” and “Sook” was born on May 7th, 1946 in Banks, Arkansas to the late Quinee Gannaway and the late Orverlett Lacerine Gannaway Turner. She departed this life on January 8th, 2022 at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas surrounded by her family.  

Mother Allen loved the Lord and accepted him into her life as her Lord and Savior at an early age. She continued to keep the Lord first in her life as she completed school and entered the workforce. Mother Allen worked at Masterson’s Inc in Sparkman, Arkansas and Aalfs Inc in Arkadelphia, Arkansas to name a few where she was often recognized for her high productivity rate. 

On March 3rd, 1968, Carlshella Mae Gannaway married Charles Allen Jr. of Vaden, Arkansas.  From this union she bore and raised 5 children. Mother Allen taught each of her children to love the Lord at an early age. She ensured they attended Sunday School as well as participated in the Sunshine Band where she served as their choir the director. When each of her children moved away, she not only prayed for them but she prayed with them and over them. 

Mother Allen was a faithful member of various churches throughout her life. She attended the little church under the hill in Vaden, Arkansas which was led by the late Superintendent Elder Paul Williams. She followed Superintendent Williams to Sparkman, Arkansas when established another church.  In the latter part of her life, she was a member of New Hope Church of God in Christ in Dalark, Arkansas but later moved to Arkadelphia. She loved to lead Sunday School and enjoyed spending numerous hours throughout the week preparing her lessons.

Mother Allen received guidance and tutelage from other church mothers such as her mother, mother in law.  Also from the late Mother Ozella Wells, the late Mother Annie Bullock, the late Missionary Annie Nolen, until she became a church mother herself.  

During the early part of her life, Mother Allen’s favorite hobbies included sewing quilts and baking desserts. Mother Allen, along with her mother-in-law, the late Armenter Allen, the late Queen and Luella Dickerson would gather, set up sewing horses and piece together quilts.  

Also, Mother Allen was known for baking desserts such as cakes and pies. The one that she cooked the most often and known for was her German Chocolate Cake.  People loved her cakes so much that Mother Allen would freeze them and send it out in the mail to her brother or niece.  

Mother Allen was proceeded in death by her parents, her son: Otis N. Allen, her siblings: Dianne Burns, Clara Ann Brown, John Willie Turner Jr, Willis “ Buck” Gannaway, Carlie Gannaway, Leatrice Gannaway, Annie Mae Tatum, Mrytle Davis, Quinnie R. Gannaway and McKinnley Gannaway. 

Mother Allen leaves to cherish her precious memory her husband, Charles Allen of Arkadelphia, Arkansas: 4 children: Charles (Monica) Allen of Jacksonville Arkansas, Gerry (Lauren) Allen of Palestine, Texas; Adrienne Allen of Jefferson City, Missouri; and Brian Allen of Hot Springs, Arkansas: 6 siblings Rose Jean (the late J.W.) Owens, Earnestine (the late Earl) Ingram, Joshua (the late Lizzie Trotter) Gannaway, Betty (Roy) Edwards, Nettie (Bob) Davis, Glenda (the late Gary) Hines and Earnestine (Fred) Harden: 15 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. In addition, she has a host of nieces, nephews, other relative and friends. 

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