Mary Allen

ALLENDALE:     Mrs. Mary Frances Creech Allen, wife of the late Walter Theodore "Ted" Allen, passed away at her home in Allendale on Wednesday, February 13, 2024 at the age of 81.

Mary was born in Olar, SC June 16, 1942 a daughter of the late John C. Creech and Effie Black Creech.  For many years she volunteered alongside her late husband on the Allendale County Rescue Squad, and was also a dedicated employee of Smith-Rhoden Funeral Home, where she worked faithfully for Stephen M. "Steve" Rhoden…a man she admired to the point of considering him a son.  Although he passed away in 2010, she still kept his photo displayed in her den at home. She eventually went to work for…and retired from…Bill's Auto Parts and Service in Allendale.

Mary was a member of the Great Salkehatchie Baptist Church in Ulmer, and she was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.  She loved spending time with her family and one of her favorite pastimes was traveling through the scenic mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee.

She possessed a beautiful laugh, a bright smile, and a caring demeanor.  She will be missed by all who knew her.

Mary is survived by her children Teddy Allen (Lisa) of Simpsonville, and Joanni Long (Chuck) of Ulmer.  There are four grandchildren:  Rachel and Teddy Allen of Simpsonville, and Wyman and Summer long of Ulmer.  She leaves behind her siblings Libby Kerr, Charlene West (Bubba) and Johnny Creech (Cynthia) as well as her sister-in-law, Debbie Creech.  Mary is also survived by her very special friends Bubba and Diana Simmons, and their sons Jason and Eddie.

In addition to her parents, and her husband of fifty-four years, she was preceded in death by her brother Bobby Creech and by her sister Adrienne "Sister" Blackwell.

Graveside funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon, February 17, 2024 at 2:00 at the Great Salkehatchie Cemetery in Ulmer, directed by Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home.  The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Great Salkehatchie Cemetery, P.O.B. 8, Ulmer, SC 29849.