Philippians 4:4-"Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!" The family of Michael Jesse Allen, age 50, born June 3, 1958, rejoices in the Lord that he is free from the 34 years of pain he has endured. Mike and his brother Fred were in a near fatal car accident July 5, 1974. Mike sustained multiple injuries and a severe brain trauma. Through all his suffering he remained an inspiration to others, trusting God completely. Michael is survived by his parents, Harry and Jewel Allen, one brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Charlotte-Anne Allen of Ronda; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Patti and Ron Jeffries of Elkin, Shelley and Danny Somers of North Wilkesboro and Sherrie and Hal Hiatt of Wilmington. He has nine nieces and nephews who love him dearly and many aunts and uncles, and a special cousin, Ethan Allen, who have given assistance and their love. We will all miss him and his great love for us. Life will never be the same. A special thanks to Linda Curry who has been Mike's caregiver for the past 11 years; to Wilkes Regional Home Health who sent Joe Cook and many other assistants for Mike's care. Claude Love became a regular in his assistance. Mike's team of doctors was God picked. Dr. I.G. Scherer was the first who made home visits until Mike improved. Dr. Ahmed Elnaggar; Lisa and staff, Dr. Harlan Hicks and staff, Vickie Bryant, Dr. Joseph Petrozza and Nichole, and the whole staff at Iredell Memorial Hospital helped us meet each painful day with hope. Mike was also cared for at Forsyth Memorial Hospital and Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Dr. Stacy Conn and her staff in Boone did much more for us than Mike's teeth. Our own Dr. Janet Perkins and staff shared their compassion and offered their prayers. Also, a special thanks to Iredell County Hospice for their faithful service. Patri Murdock, Patti Jeffries, Charlotte-Anne Allen and Belinda Minton were the last in Mike's team of caregivers. Thanks to each one who has offered prayers and needed assistance. You have helped lessen our pain through our memories. Mike was a member of Union Baptist Church where he accepted Christ at an early age. He participated in all youth activities and was special to the senior citizens and the children of the church and community. After the accident, he continued to serve God through Campers of Mission under the leadership of Pete Butler and the Southwest Area Resort Ministries and Nell and Hart Watson. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2009 at Union Baptist Church. The memorial service will conducted at Union Baptist Church, Union Church Road, Hamptonville, NC at 11:00 a.m., January 3, 2009 by Reverend Kenny Pardue of Union Baptist Church and Chaplain Thomas Sherrod of Iredell Memorial Hospital. Burial will be at the Union Baptist Church Cemetery. All friends and family are invited to a luncheon and sharing time after the memorial service at the Christian Activity Center located across from the church. Memorials may be made to the Michael Jesse Allen Foundation c/o Ethan Allen, 3374 Somers Road, Hamptonville, NC 27020; or flowers will be accepted. Online condolences may be made at www.hodgesfuneralhomeinc.com Hodges Funeral Home in Elkin is serving the Allen family.
