Obituary: Nilah Elaine Allen 1924 - 2014

Nilah Elaine Allen, 90, passed away peacefully at home in Cottonwood on December 31, 2014 with family at her side.

She was born in California, July 1924, to Anna and Roy Seddon.

Nilah's childhood was spent in Los Angeles where at 15 she met her future husband George Allen. She graduated from Washington High School.

Nilah was a unique woman with an accomplished past, a zest for life and a great flair for fashion and style. She had many careers from entertainer to entrepreneur.

She sang, managed restaurants, wrestled cattle, raised pigs, drove a dump truck, and was a receptionist, bartender, waitress, baker, seamstress and so much more all while being a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother.

She was a true lady and lived her life with grace.

Always wanting to own a restaurant, she and best friend Judee Anderson opened Grey Shadows Ole in Sedona. Though the restaurant closed doors years ago, the friendship remained forever.

Nilah believed strongly in a lasting afterlife which gave her comfort knowing she would be reunited with so many loved ones.

Preceded in death by her parents Roy and Anna, sisters Donna and Marge, son Thomas, great-grandson Derek Serene, nephews George, Murray, Roy, great nephew Ryan, brother-in-law Bob and so many more dear friends and family members.

She leaves behind the love of her life and husband of 73 years George Allen, son Greg wife Debbie and children Greg Jr. (Joanne), Aaron (Rachel), Amy (Troy) and Jonathon (Josie). Daughter Jancine and husband Eric Serene, their children Shannon (Jason) Calandra and Alexander (Misha) and 19 great grandchildren.

She also leaves behind many good friends and a large and loving extended family at "On the Greens." The family gives its sincere thanks to all her friends for their help and to Family Medical Center and Verde Valley Hospice for the wonderful care provided.

There will be no services per her wishes. Nilah was a member of the Neptune Society and chose to have her ashes scattered over the Pacific Ocean.

Any memorial to Nilah may be given as a donation to hospice care or animal welfare in her name.

"To live in hearts we leave behind, is not to die." ~ Thomas Campbell

Information provided by survivors.