Sara N. Allen

COLUMBIA¬ – Mrs. Sara Margaret “Toop” Napier Allen, 78, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2007 after an extended illness.

Born June 3, 1928, in Manning, S.C., she was a daughter of the late James Lane and Sara Ann Wells Napier. She graduated from Manning High School and the Columbia Hospital School of Nursing.

Mrs. Allen lived her adult life in Columbia. She had many career interests including nursing, real estate and the florist business. She initiated the Docents Program at the S.C. Governor’s Mansion and was a long-time member of the Pine Garden Club. She was an active member of First Baptist Church, where she served for many years on the Flower Committee, sang in the choir and was a member of the Living Word Sunday School Class. In her later years, she had a passion for genealogical research, especially the Civil War history of her ancestors.

Her favorite pastime, however, was being with friends and family. She always treasured and enjoyed family gatherings at holidays and the beach and reunions with old friends. She was a true “people person” with a gift for conversation and a dear friend to many whose lives she touched in her special way. She was a faithful servant of God, as well as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. She will be deeply missed, but we rejoice that her struggle is over and she is now at home with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Dr. Albert S. Allen; her devoted children, Dr. Lee Ann Allen (Drew) Naylor of Winston-Salem, N.C., Susan Allen McLaughlin of Simpsonville, Dr. Albert S. (Kelli) Allen Jr. who are studying overseas; her special niece, Rebecca Napier Manning of Charlotte. Her precious grandchildren are Tripp and Lane McLaughlin, Kristen and Sara Beth Naylor, Brooks, Kendall, Whitney and Sidney Allen.

She was predeceased by her parents, a brother, James “Jimmy” Lane Napier Jr., and a sister, Mary Wells Napier Floyd.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007, in Boyce Chapel of First Baptist Church with interment in Elmwood Cemetery.

Pallbearers were her nephews, Bruce Floyd of Florence, Lane Floyd, Don Earles, Duane Earles, Chuck Earles, all of Columbia, and friend, Craig Fulton of Charlotte.

Memorials may be made to the Sara N. Allen Flower Endowment at First Baptist Church, 1306 Hampton St., Columbia, S.C. 29201.

Shives Funeral Home of Columbia was in charge of the arrangements.