Hazel Harrill Allen, 96, took her Savior by the hand on January 29, 2025.

She was born on July 17, 1928, in Cliffside, NC to Lottie Green Harrill and Anthony Marshall Harrill. In addition to her parents, Hazel was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Andrell Donald Allen, Sr, a daughter, Emily Jean Allen and eight of her nine siblings - Garvie Harrill Ruppe(Doyle), Mabel Evie Harrill, Grover Cleveland Harrill (Eddie), George Wake Harrill (Hazel), Myrtle Harrill Brackett (Monroe), Eulas Paul Harrill, Omar Ray Harrill, and Ruby Harrill Jackson(Clyde).

Hazel is survived by her brother James Edward Harrill of Boone, NC; her children, Andrell Donald Allen, Jr. and wife Hilda of High Point, NC; Robert Shuford Allen of Powder Springs, GA, Rachel Allen Smith and husband Ken of Rock Hill, SC and David Ray Allen, Sr. and wife Amy of Shelby, NC. Hazel is also survived by 10 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; Emily Allen Poole and husband Chris of Raleigh, NC (Easton), Brian Edward Allen and wife Chandler of Palm Bay, FL, Kendall Allen Butler and husband Kyle of Dallas, GA (Wake), Tanner Houghton Allen and wife Aspen of Cartersville, GA (Highland, Harlow, Scottie and Beau), Graham Randall Allen and fiancé Michaela Peak of Smyrna, GA; Hannah Smith Brinkley and husband Eric of Irmo, SC (Walker and Harrison), Meredith Julia Smith of Mount Pleasant, SC, David Ray Allen, Jr. and wife Haley Banks of Durham, NC, Michael Stephen Allen and wife Kate of Raleigh, NC and Kathryn Rose Allen of Chapel Hill, NC. Hazel is also survived by her beloved nieces and nephews, Brenda Morrow, George Harrill, Joyce Pressley, Judy Yelton, David Jackson and Myra Angel.

Hazel was a graduate of Cliffside High School and the Shelby School of Nursing where she received her RN degree. She began her nursing career at Shelby Hospital, now known as Atrium Cleveland Hospital and later became Dr. A.W. McMurry's right hand at Shelby Surgeons. She welcomed Dr. Carl Naman at Shelby Surgeons and later boasted of training Dr. Michael Barringer after he joined the practice. She retired from Shelby Surgeons in 1990 after over 30 years of service.

She was a long-time member of First Baptist Church Shelby and spent many years in WMU, working in the church library, volunteering in various areas and enjoyed her Circle groupwhere she made lifetime friends. She hosted many summer cookouts with homemade ice cream for the ladies of the groupand had numerous fond memories. Hazel so loved her Sunday School class and all the teachers over the years, including the late Lonnie Proctor, Tony Burnette and Lib Holleman. Many thanks to all her ministers over the years, including Robert Canoy, Glenn Davenport, Tony Tench, Perry Holleman and Carol Ann Hoard.

As a retired adult, Hazel took on the task of teaching adults to read. She loved reading herself and wanted others to have thatsame opportunity. Her eyesight was hindered in her later years and she was not able to enjoy reading as she once did, but wasable to enjoy books on tape and CD's. Hazel was a member of the Extension Ministry at FBC and delivered Sunday School materials and other items to those who could no longer attend church. She was so appreciative of Charlotte Teague and Judy Hawkins who did those same things for her when the time came.

Hazel loved growing flowers and working outside in her yard and garden. For years she would can and freeze the items that Don grew and they both enjoyed sharing the fruits of their labor. Doing the little things for others, like baking a pound cake or cake of cornbread were also things she enjoyed. Hazel was blessed by a number of caregivers in the last years. Garnette Walls, Lucille Marble, Amanda Brooks, Claudia Collins, Margaret Wilson and Ashley Mungro were especially faithfulalong with many others from Helping Hands in Shelby, The Blake in Fort Mill, SC and White Oak of Shelby.

Family was the most important thing for Hazel. She loved her parents, brothers and sisters, many nieces and nephews and of course, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She preferred time spent with any of these as the best time.

Memorials may be made to Shelby's First Baptist Church, Gardner-Webb University's School of Divinity or the American Alzheimer's Association.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory are in charge of the services. The family will receive friends Friday, February 7 at 2:30 pm in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church with the funeral to follow at 3:30. Graveside and internment will follow at Cleveland Memorial Park.