Survivors include: her husband, Kenny Allen of Paonia, Colorado and her son Bradley (B) Allen of Mesa, Colorado and his wife LaShell Allen, also of Mesa, Colorado as well as her daughter Cherice (Reese) Timbrel of Battle Mountain, Nevada. Also her two grandsons, Tyler Timbrel of Juneau, Alaska and Trenton Timbrel of Battle Mountain, Nevada as well as her four granddaughters, Sierra and Sydney Jo Allen, both of Elko, Nevada and Sierra and Aspen Packard, both of Mesa, Colorado. She is also survived by her sisters, Louise (Weeze) Spangler of Grand Junction, Colorado and Lorraine (Rain) Failing of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Caroline is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews (too lengthy to list) whom she loved. She is also survived by her faithful side kick Chihuahua, Pee Wee.

Predecessors in death were: her parents, Jessie and Emory Simpson as well as her mother and father in-law, Esther and Ivan Allen. Also preceded in death are her brothers Herbert (Sid) Simpson, George (Stubby) Simpson and Carl (Short) Simpson.

Caroline Ruth Allen of Paonia, Colorado went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 21st, 2012. She was 66 years of age. Caroline suffered a massive stroke and was in the exceptional care of the St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado at the time she passed away.

Caroline was born on October 16, 1945 in a ‘birthing house’ in Paonia, Colorado to her parents, Jessie and Emory Simpson. She was a lifelong resident of Paonia and short of a few years spent in Grants, New Mexico and Rangely, Colorado, Paonia was the place she called home. Paonia is where she met the love of her life, Kenny Allen. They met playing a game called “ditch ‘em” in their parent’s borrowed cars when they were just teenagers. They have been married 48 years. Caroline attended all primary, junior and high school grade levels in Paonia. She also attended college in Rangely, Colorado at Colorado Northwestern Community College with a focus in Office Management during which she maintained a 4.0 GPA. Her primary occupation was a Homemaker. She also enjoyed working at Rangely Family Medicine as a Receptionist and Insurance Claims Processor from 1986 to 1992.

Caroline loved her church, Paonia Christian Fellowship. She was always involved with ensuring that church pot luck dinners and funeral dinners went off without a hitch. She enjoyed helping with the youth activities at the church as well. If there was a need for cookies at any of the youth activities, Caroline made sure that the cookies were made and taken to the church. One of her nicknames was “The Cookie Lady”. She enjoyed the energy that the young people brought to the church and loved singing songs with them. One fond memory was when Vacation Bible School was held at the church; Caroline was serving the little kids by washing their feet after they made feet impressions with paint. She said, “My back is aching! I have washed 42 pairs of stinky little feet and I am exhausted.”

She also loved her family. Caroline lived for the time spent with her husband, children and grandchildren. She enjoyed the holidays most, especially when the family was all able to get together. Her hobbies included camping, fishing, crocheting, toll painting, stamping, sewing, baking (especially cookies), collecting Depression glass, taking care of her little dog and working in the yard. One of the last things she did was bake peanut butter cookies with her granddaughter Sydney.

My grandma was important, not just to me but to many others. But God has her now. I just can't stop thinking of grandma. I really miss her!