It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of Sue Smith Allen.  She passed on June 3, 2024, at the age of 75.

Born Virginia Sue Smith to farmer Clinton Smith, Sr., and nurse Thelma Smith, she grew up on the family farm in Bagdad, Kentucky, with her older brother Hugh Smith.  One of her favorite high school memories was making costumes for the Winnie-the-Pooh play, causing her to name her son after Christopher Robin.  While completing her B.A. at Western Kentucky University, Suzie Q met John Allen.  He describes her as the most beautiful woman he ever met.  They married in 1970.  They lived many, many places in their first several years of marriage, but when it was time for Chris to start school, Sue insisted it was time to plant roots in Henderson, Kentucky.  This felt odd to their daughter April, who after a few months in their new home asked when they were going to move again.  Sue spent her time caring for the children and making a pleasant and joyful home for the family.  When April entered school, Sue decided to return to work and started a career as a bookkeeper and tax preparer.  That tax season, their child Maria made her presence known and the family began preparing to expand.  Sue welcomed children and loved babies, caring for many people's children over the years.  She co-owned multiple businesses, and with the founding of A-1 Tax Service in 1992, established a decades long tradition of providing affordable tax and bookkeeping options to multiple generations of local families.  She volunteered countless hours at Holy Name School and Church where she also sang in the choir.  When her mother's health began to fail, she moved her mother and father to Henderson to care for them and began attending Community Baptist Church with them, later becoming a member of their congregation, serving as a deacon, and volunteering at Christian Community Outreach.

Sue has loved and cared for many people over the years, but we suspect her favorite people were her three grandchildren: Abigail Perry (24), Jacob Perry (21), and Willow Jenkins (7).  She made sure to help care for each of them so they did not have to start daycare too soon. Sue is known for her bright smile, and her grandchildren have brought the biggest smiles to her face over the years.

Sue suffered a major stroke in 2019 forcing her into retirement and keeping her from being able to enjoy many of her pastimes, but John cared for her, allowing her to remain in their home as long as possible.  Sue continued to enjoy reading, spending time with family, playing games, and even babysitting her youngest granddaughter.  In June 2023, John and Sue moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where they regularly challenged the residents of Forest Hill Commons at Rook (and won). We will all miss her smiles, hugs, and words of wisdom.  She will not be forgotten.

She was preceded in death by her father, Clinton H. Smith, Sr.; her mother, Thelma Ringo Smith; and her brother, Clinton "Hugh" Smith, II.

She is survived by her devoted and loving husband, John M. Allen; her son, John "Chris" Allen; her daughters, April Allen Perry (Jason) and Dr. Maria Sue Jenkins (David); and her grandchildren, Abigail Sue Perry, Jacob James Perry, and Willow Alise Jenkins.

You may join us at Rudy-Rowland Funeral for her funeral service at 11 a.m. Monday, June 10, 2024.  Dr. Chuck Summers and Dr. Tim Hobbs will officiate.  Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 9, 2024, and 10 a.m. until service time Monday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, we invite you to make donations to Community Baptist Church in Henderson or Hosparus Health of Louisville.

Online condolences may be made at www.rudyrowland.com.