Lela Cheek Allen was born in Bell County, KY on December 15, 1919. She was the daughter of Rufus Cheek and Edna Wilder Cheek and she was the oldest of eight children. She is survived by her daughter, Sherry Lynn Allen of El Cerrito, CA, and her youngest sister, Linda (Jack) Stiles of Boise, ID, who love her very much. She was preceded in death by her Father, Mother, Stepmother (America Hoskins Cheek), her husband Roscoe Allen, 3 sisters, 1 brother, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was lovingly known as Mom, Sis, Gramma, Mamaw, and Aunt.

Following her marriage to her beloved Roscoe in Pineville, KY in 1942, they moved to Georgia and then to Florida where Roscoe was stationed in the U.S. Army in December 1946. They welcomed their daughter, Sherry Lynn Allen, into their loving family on May 8, 1948.

Lela was a wonderful mother, homemaker, gardener, and cook. Her pie suppers were legendary. She took care of the nursery at Hillcrest Southern Baptist Church for almost 30 years. And she was a wonderful friend to everyone she met.

We want to thank all the people who helped take care of Lela through these last days of her life, especially Dr. Andrew Wallach and all the folks at Accent Care and Sutter Care at Home. We appreciate Pastor Ted Goslen and all our friends at Hillcrest Southern Baptist Church for their prayers and support, their visits, and their wonderful food. We want to thank our friends and neighbors. Sherry would like to thank her friends and co-workers at Macy’s Hilltop in Richmond who have loved and supported her during Lela’s long illness.

It is with reluctance that we release her into the arms of Christ and her beloved husband. She will surely be missed. “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral service on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Sunset View Mortuary, junction of Fairmount and Colusa Ave.’s in El Cerrito. Interment to follow.