Our beloved Ivory Mae Allen earned her wings and went on to be with the Lord on September 15, 2021. Ivory Allen, affectionately known to her grandchildren as “Momma”, was born in Utica, Mississippi to the late Cloteal and Powell Torry. She was born March 18, 1931, she was the third of six children. Coming of age, Ivory eventually met George Allen in Utica, Mississippi. After some time of courtship, they eventually wed on June 20, 1954 and relocated to Akron, Ohio, together they conceived four beautiful girls.
Taking care of others was her pride and joy, where she found the most fulfillment out of life besides her family. Ivory loved her work as a nurse assisant for forty years; she would hug and kiss all her patients, treating them all just as she would her own family. In those forty years, she won many awards and certificates and was known throughout the region for her impeccable ability to go above and beyond for all her patients and clients.
Ivory was also a dedicated Christian; she was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church for over forty years. She loved the Lord and could always be caught in her off time quietly humming church hymns or have one of her grandchildren recite scripture to her. One of Ivory’s pass times were planting flowers outside of her home; roses her were favorite flower. Family holidays were always held at her home because she loved to cook for her grandchildren and prepare all the holiday meals; she was a great cook. She relished over the company of her children and grandchildren. Her home was always so warm and filled with so much love during those times.
Ivory had such a vivacious spirit and great sense of humor. She would always be smiling and cracking jokes whenever you were in her presence. Anyone who knew her could attest that her smile was contagious and laughing with her was inevitable. Ivory was also a stickler for education, she always stressed to her daughters and grandchildren the importance of obtaining a good education and to be independent and self-sufficient women; all her daughters went on to be just that.
Ivory was truly a matriarch of her family. She leaves behind a legacy of what it means to take pride in and to love what you do. She taught her family what it meant to be kind, effortlessly sweet and a diligent hard worker. She will be missed dearly by her loved ones and friends, although not mourned for long but celebrated in the bequest of her life because, “For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 6
Ivory was preceded in death by her parents Cloteal and Powell Torry, daughter Jeanette Allen, brother Ulysess Torry, sisters Yvonne Greene and Pearl Newsome. Ivory will be miss by her husband Goerge Allen, daughters; Loretta Webb, Helen (Garland) Allen-Jones and Joyce Allen, brother Howard Torry, sister Joyce Thomas-Lowe, grandchildren; Jerome (Nychelle) Thomas, Kowshara (Demond) Scott, Corrina (Troy) Thomas, Gyasi Jones, Marcus (Tomeka) Allen, AlaQua (Tory) Jones and Felicia Manson, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.