EMERALD ISLE -  Donna Allen (Demming), 70, of Emerald Isle, passed away on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 from complications related to late-stage Alzheimer's disease.  A church service at Infant of Prague Catholic Church will be held on April 13th at 11:00am followed by burial at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, with Rev. J. Victor Gournas officiating.

Born in upstate New York, Donna grew up in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and graduated from Jacksonville High School. In 1970, she met the love of her life: Homer "Al" Allen. They were married in 1971, and together they had two sons: David and Phillip. When her sons grew older, Donna got a job at White Oak Elementary School in Carteret County. First, she was a teacher's assistant/bus driver, and later she was the school secretary, a position she held for 26 years. "Miss Donna" is well remembered by students, teachers, and families for her cheerful disposition, class, and grace. Her friends and colleagues described her as kind, sweet, gracious, precious, amazing, generous, and hard-working.

In their retirement years, Homer and Donna purchased a vacation cabin in Bostic, NC, and spent many relaxing weeks enjoying the beautiful scenery and slower pace of life. Every holiday, the whole family would gather at the cabin, which she always beautifully decorated for the occasion. The memories made during those years will always be cherished by Donna's family.

Donna adored her grandchildren: Ben and Katie. She called them her doodlebugs and they made many memories playing, baking, and laughing together. Even as Alzheimer's claimed more of her mind, she always remembered her grandbabies, and they always made her light up and smile.

Donna was kind, warm-hearted, and extremely generous. She was a good listener and had the ability to make people feel better no matter how their troubles. She was also an avid shopper and participated in marathon shopping trips with her friends, "the Jollies". Many of the items she bought were decorations for her house, and she adorned her home for each new season and each new holiday. Her favorite holiday was Christmas, and she spent every moment trying to make the Holiday special with her baking, decorating, and gift-giving. She was the embodiment of the Christmas spirit.

Donna started cooking for her parents and siblings when she was 8 years old, and over the years became an excellent cook, baker, and cake decorator. Her homemade spaghetti sauce and cream cheese brownie recipes have become a family tradition that will be handed down for generations.

Her husband used to say that when Donna walked into a room, she would instantly light it up with her smile. Donna's family and friends feel the loss of that light very deeply.

Donna was predeceased by her husband of 51 years Homer; her parents, Marion Frank Demming and Geraldine Gordon Demming; and her brother Mark (Amy) Allen.

Her loss is mourned her sons, David (Christy) Allen and Phillip Allen; her grandchildren, Benjamin and Catherine Allen; her sister Patty Demming; her nephews Patrick and Garrett Demming; her nieces Krystal Lyvers, Madeline Demming, Amanda (Jay) Schroeder, Jenny (John) Evans, and Debi Sox; and her sisters-in-law Margaret Hart and Linda Allen.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association.