Mrs. Ima Bell McClure Allison, age 88, Jonesborough, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at NHC Healthcare of Johnson City following a lengthy illness. She had been a resident at Broadmore Senior Living since February, where she received consistent loving care.

A native of Haywood County, North Carolina, Mrs. Allison was born March 17, 1924 in Waynesville, NC. She was the daughter of Fuller Ansel McClure & Nora Fortner McClure.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Clarence L. Allison who is a resident of Broadmore Senior Living. She is also survived by her children Sidney L. Allison (Carol Ann), Isle of Palms, SC; Carolyn Allison Shepherd (Wayne) Jonesborough, TN; and Stanley C. Allison (Kathy) Mt. Pleasant, SC. Her surviving brothers include Don McClure and Samuel McClure of Waynesville, NC; Kemuel McClure of Greeneville, TN; and a sister Gladys McClure Kirkpatrick of Waynesville, NC. Two brothers preceded her in death: Berlin McClure and Ulysses McClure, both of Waynesville, NC.

She and her husband were active members of Walnut Grove Baptist Church in Marietta, SC. After moving to Jonesborough in 2002, she attended several churches in the area. For the last five years she attended Clark Street Baptist Church in Johnson City, TN. She was a member of The Mother’s Sunday School Class at Walnut Grove and the Volunteer Sunday School at Clark Street. Her life always centered on the church and her family. Her beauty, grace, and kindness live on in the lives of all who knew her.

Ima is also survived by her grandchildren, Renee Allison-Riley (Eddie), Griffin Allison (Lee), Mary Elizabeth Allison, Sheri Shepherd-Pratt (Chris), Julie Shepherd-Powell (Adrian), Kate Allison, and Leigh Allison. Seven great grandchildren survive her: Sidney Clare Riley, Jackson Riley, Nora Allison Shepherd-Powell, Oliver D. Shepherd-Powell, Braxton Allison, Curren Allison, and Porter Allison.

Family members will receive friends from 2:00-3:30 pm Monday, October 8, 2012 at Clark Street Baptist Church in Johnson City. Memorial funeral services will follow at 4:00 pm Monday at the church. Pastor Joe Beaver and Pastor Mike Garland will be officiating. Music will be provided by Barbara Curtis, Kim Beaver and Adrian Shepherd-Powell. And other times, friends may call at the home of Carolyn & Wayne Shepherd.

Pallbearers include Wayne Shepherd, Chris Shepherd-Pratt, Adrian Shepherd-Powell, Jerry McClure, Griffin Allison, and Eddie Riley. Honorary pallbearers will be Art Armes and Steve Parnell.

A receiving of friends and family will be held at Howze Mortuary in Travelers Rest, SC from 1:00-2:30 pm. Following the visitation, a graveside memorial service will be held 3:00 PM Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at the Mountain View Memorial Park Cemetery, Travelers Rest, SC with Pastor Mike Garland and Joe Beaver officiating.

The family would like to thank the wonderful doctors, nurses and staff of Franklin Woods Hospital, Home Instead Senior Care, Broadmore Senior Living, NHC Staff and Caris Hospice.