Marty "Tina" Allen

Walnut Cove, NC: Marty Valentina “Tina” Cromer Allen, wife to Mike, beloved mother to Robbie and Brittany, grandmother to Brandon, sister, and a friend to many, passed away peacefully on August 9, 2026, at the age of 66 after a short, brave fight with ALS. She leaves behind a lifetime of love, memories, and countless lives made brighter simply because she was in them.

Tina was born on February 4, 1960, at Stokes Reynolds Memorial Hospital to the late Clade Aldine Cromer and Peggy Nell Smith Cromer. She graduated from East Forsyth High School in 1978 and, upon graduation, she started her working career. Tina worked for FedEx and Food Nutrition Services for Guilford and Stokes County Schools.

Tina was a woman who devoted her life to the people she loved especially her children and grandchildren. To her children, she was more than a mother and grandmother. She was their shoulder to cry on, their greatest supporter, the first person they would call for advice, and her daughter Brittany's favorite shopping buddy. The love she shared for her children and family was present in the little things - the conversations, the listening ear she provided, the meals especially her homemade spaghetti sauce, the holidays, the advice, the laughter and all the countless memories shared. During her husband's health battles, Tina was right there every step of the way. She was his biggest advocate and supporter. Before sickness, they took many trips to the beach and Hillsville, VA where they found a love for tent camping, campfires and lots of memories made.

Tina will always be remembered for her love for flowers, a spotless home where she spent countless hours making sure it was clean for her family, her shopping trips to Hobby Lobby where you could find her and her daughter, Brittany spending lots of money, decorating for Christmas, Michael Kors, camping trips to Hillsville, VA and the beach. Those who knew her will remember her friendship, hugs, laughter and smile, but most of all, they will remember the love she gave so freely.

Tina is survived by her husband, Mike Allen; daughter, Brittany Nelson; grandson, Brandon Flippin; brother, Chris Cromer along with her adopted family; Scotty Hooker and daughter, Sarah; Issac Gentry; grand dog and light of her life, Maxwell Alexander "Max"; along with numerous friends and extended family.

Tina was preceded in death by her father, Clade Aldine Cromer Jr; mother, Peggy Nell Smith Cromer; brother, Todd Cromer; and son, Robert "Robbie" Ray Flippin.

Although our hearts are broken by her absence, we are grateful for every moment we were blessed to have with her. Her voice, her laughter, her love, and all the lessons she taught us will remain with us always.

A mother's love never leaves us. It becomes a part of who we are and will live through every generation she touched.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00am Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Refuge Baptist Church in Walnut Cove, NC with Pastor Jerry Nelson and Mr. Hal Nelson officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00am at the church and all other times at her home. 

The family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who surrounded Tina with love, prayers, kindness, and support throughout her illness. To those who visited, called, sent messages, offered encouragement, or simply kept her in your thoughts and prayers, please know how deeply grateful we are.

A special thank you to Patricia, Tonya, Barbara, Scotty, Hal, Beth, Marla and countless others for surrounding Tina with love, prayers, support, friendship, visits and encouragement during her time of sickness. We are especially thankful to the doctors, nurses, caregivers, and everyone who helped care for Mom and brought comfort during her journey. A heartfelt thank you to her nurse(s), Kim and Michelle at Oak Forest for their compassion, patience, kindness, and dedication that brought comfort to Tina and our entire family during some of the most difficult days. You were not simply her nurses – you became part of our family, and we will forever be grateful.

Mom, there will never be enough words to express how much you mean to me. You were my mother, my cheerleader, my shoulder to cry on, the one I would always call when I needed to vent, my concert buddy and my best friend. I will miss your voice, your hugs, your smile, all the little things that made you so unique, but most importantly the friendship we shared as a mother and daughter. Thank you for loving me, believing in me, and teaching me what it means to love with your whole heart. I wish I could have more time with you; I will carry your love with me every day for the rest of my life. Until we meet again, Mom, please know that you will be forever loved, forever missed, and forever a part of me.

Love always,

Brittany, Mike and Brandon