Betty Lorraine Allen, age 85, of Ada, Michigan went to be with her Lord, January 16, 2014. She was born March 12, 1928 in Ishpeming, Michigan to Lorraine and Mildred Barnaby who preceded her in death in 1970 and 1994, respectively. She had recently been a resident of Emerald Meadows Assisted Living Home and under the loving care of Great Lakes Hospice.
Betty married Jean Allen in 1951 (he preceded her in death in 1993). He became a minister and started the Calvary Assembly of God in Rockford where he preached and Betty played the piano. While in Rockford, Betty worked for Wolverine Worldwide. They later moved to Charlotte, serving as pastors of the Charlotte Assembly of God. She was employed at Oldsmobile in Lansing, from which she retired in 1986. Preceding Betty in death were her sisters, Birdice Morel and Mary Cook; brothers, Eugene Barnaby and Jim Barnaby. She is survived by her youngest brother, David Barnaby of Kentwood, daughters, Sandy (Marvin) Thrush of Byron Center, and Cheryl (Robert) Holmes of Ada; five grandchildren, Melissa Cunningham Tucker, James (Rachael) Cunningham, Jonathan (Stacy) Holmes, Heidi (Josh) Palsrok, and Holli (Miguel) Martinez; and ten great-grandchildren, many cousins, nieces and nephews. Betty loved her family and helping people. She loved rocks and sea shells, gardening and working outside in the yard, caring for the many house plants in her home, and eating ice cream. Most of all, she loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was a member of Christian Life Center in Lowell. The family will receive friends Sunday, January 19, from 4-7 pm at the O’Brien-Eggebeen Gerst Funeral Chapel, 3980 Cascade Rd. SE. A Life Celebration Service will be held Monday at 11 am at Christian Life Center, 3050 Alden Nash SE, in Lowell, Michigan, with Pastor Robert Holmes and Rev. Stacy Holmes officiating. Burial will be at Rosedale Memorial Gardens.
