WILMINGTON — Beverly “Mama B.” Smith Allen, 83, passed away peacefully Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020, at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare.
She was born Oct. 27, 1936, at James Walker Hospital, Wilmington, daughter of the late Rodney Kendall Smith and Hilda Holmes Smith. Beverly grew up in the little farming town of Kelly, Bladen County.
She enjoyed knitting and being a master cook in the kitchen, especially with her late sister, Patty, at the Kelly House for family gatherings and during the holidays. She loved Duke basketball and pulling for the Blue Devils. She was also a devout 50-year member of Winter Park Baptist Church, Wilmington.
Mama B. was a devoted and loving sister, wife, mother and grandmother. Remembered fondly are her first husband, Franklin D. Lewis; daughter, Karen Lewis; son, Kendall Smith Lewis; and sister, Patricia Smith Adams, all of whom preceded her in death.
She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, T. Gene Allen of Wilmington; son, Franklin Scott Lewis (Carolyn) of Wake Forest; daughter, Tricia Allen Edmundson (Mike) of Clayton; daughter-in-law, Lynne Lewis; son-in-law, Jimmy Porter; brother-in-law, Dave Adams; six grandchildren, Justin Porter, Kyle Lewis (Sarah), Hunter Lewis (Kaitlyn), Barbara Lewis (Grey), Ashton and Michael Edmundson.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 27, at Winter Park Baptist Church, Wilmington. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church. Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. in the Smith Family Cemetery, Kelly.
Flowers are welcome, or memorial donations in Beverly’s name may be made to the V Foundation for Cancer Research and Winter Park Baptist Church.
Share online condolences with the family at Andrews Mortuary & Crematory.
