Mary Louise Makin Allen

Mary Louise "Mary Lou" Allen (née Makin) of Lewisville, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2026, at the age of 84, surrounded by her children. A beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, her life was defined by her deep devotion to her family and her faith. She was known for a kindness so genuine that everyone who knew her was certain that they were her favorite person.

Mary Lou met the love of her life, David, at Pleasant Grove High School when she was just 15 years old. They married soon after she turned 20, and this year would have marked their 65th wedding anniversary — a lifetime of love that shaped the family she leaves behind.

Devoted to her family her entire life, Mary Lou also served faithfully in the church for 70 years, giving of herself to care for friends and family alike. Even in her own hardest moments, her instinct was to reach out and help someone else — a reflection of the selfless spirit that defined her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, David; her brothers, Joe Ray, Keith, and Melvin; and her sister, Eliza.

She is survived by her siblings, Cleo, Leland, Carol Jane, Tom, and Merlin, and by her children, who were her greatest joy: Thomas (Monika), Robert (Kimberly), Sandra, Rebecca (Larry), Mark (Leigh), and Daniel (Heather). She was the delighted grandmother of 14 grandchildren and the cherished great-grandmother of 11 great-grandchildren, each of whom brought her immeasurable happiness.

Mary Lou will be remembered for the family she raised, the traditions she kept alive, and the quiet, steady way she cared for everyone around her. Mary Lou was, above all, effort — she gave of herself fully and without hesitation. To honor her, her family invites all who knew her to create peace in their homes, forgive one another's trespasses, and meet the world with an outpouring of love.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, August 21, 2026, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 4260 Clinard Rd, Clemmons, NC, with Bishop Jeremy Tilley officiating. Interment will follow at Forsyth Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 20th, from 6-8 PM, at Hayworth-Miller Lewisville Chapel.