Leola (Shears) Allen

The Allen, Wilson, and Nolan families of Roanoke are deeply saddened to share the heartbreaking news that our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, Leola (Shears) Allen, 79, has slipped away from us.  She transitioned from this life on Friday afternoon, February 2, 2024, at Wellstar Hospice Care of Lagrange.   Our mother was a native of Five Points, Alabama; yet a lifelong resident of the Historic East Roanoke community, and the widow of the late Jerry Allen, Jr.  We desperately need your prayers as we prepare to celebrate her life and homegoing.  Our deepest thanks are expressed to all of our family, friends and loved ones for the love and prayers coming our way.

Our mother was born in Five Points, Chambers County, Alabama on October 24, 1944, to her loving parents the late, Enoch Shears, Sr., and Leola (Smith) Shears.   She attended the Historic Randolph County Training School here in Roanoke.   From a very early age, she was a member of New Harmony Missionary Baptist Church, LaFayette, where she remained a faithful member until the end. This amazing lady loved her church and her church family. 

On June 6, 1965, at age twenty-one (21), she married the late Jerry Allen, Jr., who preceded her to heaven, on February 18, 2018.  Jerry transitioned in Carrollton, GA, after a long illness.  Our mother was a very smart — industrious woman, taking on the full-time challenge of employment in Roanoke's local textile industry while fulfilling her role as wife and homemaker.   She started working at Candlewick Yarns on July 26, 1974, and remained a consistent, reliable, steadfast employee until September 8, 2006.  She proudly retired after 32 years in the textile industry, which was the driving force behind Roanoke's economy at the time.  After her retirement, she often enjoyed an occasional walk in the morning hours.  Who knows why she enjoyed it so much?  Perhaps this was her special time to connect with our Creator. 

Mother transitioned from this life on Friday afternoon, February 2, 2024.  She was in the care of Wellstar Hospice Care in LaGrange, GA.

Her beloved family includes two (2) amazing daughters: Angela Wilson (Mike), and  Donna Nolan (Randy) both of Roanoke, four (4) grandsons: Windell John  Nolan, Jr. (Takiis) of Honolulu, HI, William Jay Nolan and Michael Travon Wilson, Jr. both of Roanoke, and Markiece Williams of Troy, AL; two (2) granddaughters: Kierra Nicole Wilson of Opelika, AL and Aliyah Jamaya Wilson of Roanoke; a great-grandson, Liam John Nolan of Honolulu, HI; and one (1) great-granddaughter: Ka'Loni Na'Ryah Harris of Opelika, AL; a sister, Mildred Patillo of Roanoke; and last but certainly not least, a special niece, Nannette Phillips of Roanoke. 

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