HIGH POINT — It is with great sadness that the family of Jonathan Stuart Allen announces his passing after a brief period of cardiac instability. Jonathan died on March 18, 2012. He was 61 years old.
Born into the community surrounding Deep River Friends Meeting, Jonathan devoted himself from an early age to the things he loved: his family, his friendships, learning, and the land. In his youth, he was a committed member of 4H and his Meeting's Youth Fellowship. He attended Ragsdale High School, where he served as president of his senior class, captain of the football team, a member of the wrestling team, and part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. It was here that he connected with the first and only love of his life, Anita Armfield Allen, who was his wife of 41 years.
Jonathan received what is now the Morehead-Cain Scholarship to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He later attended North Carolina State University with Anita and earned a Bachelors of Science in Ornamental Horticulture. During this time, he became very active in peace and social justice movements-a commitment that extended throughout his life in his personal relationships, his business practices, and his service to New Garden and Deep River Friends Meetings. At Deep River, he was Clerk of Ministry and Council, an elder, and a Sunday School teacher.
In 1983, Jonathan founded Deep River Landscapes, a corporation that specialized in custom residential and corporate landscapes. Jonathan grew Deep River Landscapes for over 24 years. More recently, he worked at Tanglewood Park in Winston Salem and owned Sheffield Gardens, a small community-sponsored farm in Mocksville that he had great hopes of expanding.
Jonathan was deeply loved and will be deeply missed by Anita; their daughter, Sylvan; and their son-in-law, Angus Bennett, both of Greensboro, NC. He was also adored by his mother, Florence Allen; his sister, Barbara Bell; his brother, Dan Allen; sisters-in-law Paulette Britt and Mary Allen; brother-in-law, Eddie Britt; a host of nieces and nephews; and a large extended family.
A generous, kind soul who was always quick with a laugh, Jonathan's short and lovely life will be honored in a celebration at Deep River Friends Meeting on Friday, March 23, at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Sheffield-Callahan Volunteer Fire Department (Attention: Teresa Campbell, 581 Abbeydale Road, Harmony, NC, 28634).
Please offer condolences at www.sechrestfunerals.com.
