Tuesday, November 25, 2025 10:14 am

Barbara "Jean" Smith Allen, age 86, of Forest City, passed away Tuesday, November 18, 2025.

Jean was born August 7, 1939 to the late Clarence Berry Smith and Elsie Johnson Smith. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. In 1960 she married the Love of her Life, James William Craig Allen. Jean was a member of Gray's Creek Baptist Church and had a special bond with her Harris High Class of 1958 classmates. Jean worked as a Cafeteria Manager at Dunbar Elementary School for 29 years.

She is survived by her only child, Sharon Lowery of Rutherfordton; grandchildren, Brandy Morris (Shane) of Forest City and Neil Lowery (Jenn) of Mooresboro; great grandchildren, Destiny Greene and Hayden Burns both of Forest City, her older sister, Ann Smith of Forest City and by multiple nephews and nieces.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, James Allen; brothers, Berry and Larry Smith; sister, Nyoka Melton and nephew, Dana Smith.

The family will receive friends from 5-7pm Tuesday, December 2 at Harrelson Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted at 2pm Wednesday, December 3 at Gray's Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Bryan Ezell and Mr. Donald Honeycutt officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations requested to Gray's Creek Baptist Church, 751 Gray's Creek Church Rd., Rutherfordton, NC 28139.

An online guest registry is available at www.harrelsonfuneralhome.com

Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family.