Mary Pauline ("Polly") Allen

Allen, Mary Pauline (“Polly”) - It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister, Mary Pauline ('Polly') Allen. Polly passed away peacefully on Oct 18th at her home in Knoxville, surrounded by those she loved. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, James Allen; their two sons, Jeffrey Allen and Robb Allen; their daughter, Melinda Tyler and seven grandchildren; Asa, Stoney, Abbie, Elizabeth, James, Ashley and Alexis. She is also survived by sisters Jeanine Alley and Norma Joe Hamilton. She was in so many ways, an extraordinary woman. Polly was born Mary Pauline Burns on August 27, 1927 in Huntsville, Alabama. Throughout her life she served as an Air Force mother, historic preservationist, owner/ operator of Ingleside Antiques, Knoxville, and a sought-after interior decorator whose works have been showcased in major design periodicals. More than anything she loved to be surrounded by friends and family, cooking and entertaining. A Harriman, Tennessee native, Polly met her future husband Lt. Col. James J Allen, also from Harriman, and were married after his return from WW2. Polly traveled the country helping James raise their family as an Air Force Wife, always retaining her Tennessee roots. In 1968 she was honored as Air Defense Command Wife of the Year. At an early age, her love of the history and people of Charleston, SC inspired a lifetime interest in historic preservation. In the early 60's, she was invited to join the Preservation Society of Charleston South Carolina, giving docent tours of historic Charleston homes. In the early 1970s she owned and operated Ingleside Antiques in Knoxville, Tennessee and helped design and decorate many prestiges homes, offices and commercial spaces in the Knoxville area. Her decorating portfolio has included legal offices, banks, restaurants and even a community center. Polly loved her historic Victorian country home, Ingleside, at Rugby, Tennessee and was active in the Historic Rugby Foundation. In the 1980's she helped design the Parish Hall, named 'Friendly House', for Christ Church Episcopal at Rugby, of which she served as Senior Warden for many years. In 2001 she was given the title Member-at-Large Emeritus in the Vestry Council, as a loving tribute to her lifelong faithfulness to church and community. She was a member of the Board of Directors of Roane State Community College, Harriman, Tennessee, and founded the Lonnie Burns Foundation Scholarship Fund. She will be greatly missed. Visitation will be held at Rose Mortuary, 6200 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee, from 5 to 7 PM, Wednesday, Oct 22nd with Memorial services starting at 7:00. Internment of ashes will be held Thursday, Oct 23rd, at 1:30 PM at the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, 2200 E. Govenor John Sevier Hwy. 168. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Lonnie Burns Scholarship, with checks made out to "Roane State Foundation" with "Lonnie Burns Scholarship" on the memo line and mailed to Roane State Foundation, 276 Patton Lane, Harriman, Tennessee 37748. Online condolences may be made at www.rosemortuary.com

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Mary Pauline ("Polly") Allen

August 27, 1927 - October 18, 2014