Barbara Lee Murphy Allen

   Barbara Lee Murphy Allen, 80, of 331 Hazelton Road, Gates, NC died Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in her home.

   Mrs. Allen was born in Greenwood, Mississippi on June 20, 1943, and was the daughter of the late George Murphy, Sr. and Mary Lee West Irving. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Lisa Ann Bradley; and by her brothers, George, Jr. and Ricky Murphy.

   Barbara will be remembered by many as an insurance agent with Liberty Life, as a reporter for the Suffolk News-Herald, for serving as Editor of The Gates County Index, and for the many contributions in the public relations and marketing of Suffolk’s Annual Peanut Fest. Her family will remember her as a faithful wife, a loving mother and grandmother, and for her heart that brought her so many friends.

   Surviving is her husband of nearly 27 years, Joseph Allen; her son, Brian Coleman; and a son-in-law, Tony Bradley, both of Suffolk. Also surviving are Joe’s children, Joni Decosimo (husband, Jason) of Gates and Noah Allen (wife, Ashley) of Prince George County, VA. Together Barbara and Joe shared seven grandchildren, Stacie Turner (husband, Michael), Reba Bradley, Caleb and Brayden Decosimo, and Savanna, Dylan, and Malachi Allen; two great-grandchildren, Cheyene and Harper Lee; and many extended members of the Murphy family in Indiana and the Fleming family in Richmond, VA.

   Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 27th, at 3:00 p.m. in Savage’s Methodist Church and will be conducted by the Revs. Jimmy Smith and Joseph Buck. The burial will be private in the church cemetery. Friends may visit with the family Friday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, and other times at the residence.

   Flowers are welcome, or contributions may be made to help the family defray her medical and final expenses.

   Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.