Virginia Bailes Allen

September 2, 2022

Mother, wife, Christian, mentor, friend, supporter, admonisher, teacher and example are just some of the words that describe our Mother, Virginia Bailes Allen who passed away on September 2, 2022. She was born to J. A. Bailes and Lena Christenberry Bailes on June 12, 1920. She lived a wonderfully long and happy life surrounded by loving family and friends.

Virginia Bailes and Jack Allen met appropriately at Enderly Park Baptist Church before WWII. Dad sang in the choir and spotted this attractive woman in the congregation and decided he needed to meet her. His father had previously met her and thought she would be a good match for my dad. Both were blessed with great judgment. After a lengthy courtship, interrupted by Dad’s service in the war, Jack and Virginia were married on June 29, 1947. Mom had a successful career in the administration at old Charlotte Memorial Hospital but moved when Dad’s career took them to Raleigh and then returned to Charlotte where she delivered twins, John and James. A few years later, son David came along, and the Allen family moved to Gastonia where Dad was manager of Southern Bell Telephone Company. Although they only lived in Gastonia for a short time, Mom was very active in charity and other good causes there, ultimately being named Woman of the Year by the Gastonia Gazette in 1963. The family then came back to Charlotte and settled into the loving routine of family.

Church was always important to Mom, from First Baptist Charlotte then First Baptist in Gastonia and culminating in almost sixty years of membership at St. John’s Baptist Church. Her life was one of service to the church, teaching Sunday School for many years and leading the new member orientation program at St. John’s for decades. Along the way she was elected one of the first women deacons at St. John’s and became a life deacon there.

Home was also a center piece for Mom. In the early years, she raised her three boys while Dad traveled extensively for his job. As we boys grew, she made our house a welcome place for all of our friends. Indeed, many of our friends thought of our house as a second home where Mom doted on them and dutifully overfed them.

Her friendships were solid and long lasting. Mom was a caregiver looking after her extended family, particularly focusing on her 11 great aunts and uncles. She was the first one anyone in the family or the church called for assistance with illness or death. She knew what to do to take care of those kind of events.

She also was a remarkable mentor, friend and resource to countless scores of young women, wives and moms. A prolific letter writer she counseled on how to deal with the stresses of marriage and motherhood to many, many friends and acquaintances. I know that many of those letters are still cherished by the recipients.

Mom lost her loving husband, John Claudius (Jack) Allen, Jr., in 2010 after 63 years of marriage. Theirs was a wonderful and shining example of commitment, love and support. Our brother James also predeceased Mom and the care showered on him with his extended illness by Mom and Dad was an example to all. Mom is survived by her sons John, III and David, David’s wife Kimberly, two grandsons, Neal and Jack, brother Jimmy Bailes (Sylvia) and a host of friends, loved ones, admirers, cousins, nieces and nephews and particularly her surrogate granddaughter Julianna Parker and her dear two children. Special appreciation to Mom’s long time caregiver Valerie Holland. All of us celebrate the joy of Mom being reunited with Dad, her friends and loved ones who have gone on before.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at St. John’s Baptist Church, Dr. Dennis Foust officiating.

The family requests that donations be made to St. John’s Endowment or to the special charity of your choosing.

Hers was a life to celebrate.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC; 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

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