Emma Allen

Emma Iannucci Sanders Allen, age 91, a longtime resident of Goshen, Alabama, passed away Sunday, March 14, 2021, at home surrounded by family and loved ones. A funeral service will be held Friday, March 19, 2021, at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Green Hills Funeral Home with grandsons Russell Osborne and Jon Sanders officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hills Memorial Cemetery with Reverend Greg Aman officiating. Serving as pallbearers will be Sam Osborne, Jon Sanders, Morgan Sanders, Russell Osborne, Ryan Smith, and Tanner Free. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the funeral home.

Emma was born in Benevento, Italy, on July 1, 1929, to Joseph and Maria DeMennato Iannucci. She came to America as a World War II bride. As a city girl she quickly learned the country life. She had to learn a new language, new customs, and a new family, but she quickly learned how to integrate and obtained her citizenship. Her family was number one and anyone that knew her loved her. She never met a stranger and loved everyone. Emma loved spending time in the kitchen, creating delicious meals for her family and friends. She wanted to feed everyone and no one went away hungry. She was strong in her faith. If she couldn’t go to church, she would watch a service on television and call the prayer line to ask for prayer for her family, friends, and herself. She always made it a point to call the radio station to get family members recognized on their birthdays. She loved greeting customers in her store with “Hey Sugar” or “Hey Baby” and always wanted to give children little Dum Dum Suckers and other treats. She believed in hard work and ran a tight ship at the store. She made friends from near and far and had repeat customers from all over the country who loved her hospitality and clean store. She had a heart bigger than herself and wanted to share whatever she had.

Mrs. Allen is survived by her husband of 60 years, Kenneth Allen; children, Joe Sanders (Debbie) of Hendersonville, TN, Steve Sanders (Debbie) of Troy, AL, Wanda Fleming (Elmer) of Daphne, AL, and Mike Allen of Goshen, AL; daughter-in-law, Lenda Sanders of Goshen, AL; grandchildren, Jacqueline Sanders, Jennifer Sanders, Sam Osborne (Brittany), Jon Sanders, Morgan Sanders, Russell Osborne (Katie), Jessica Smith (Ryan), Amy Free (Tanner), Casea Allen, and Chelsea Allen; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Betty Baggett (Jimmy) and Eunice Byrd; and numerous loving nieces, nephews, and special friends. She was preceded in death by her first husband, John Sanders; son, Jimmy Ray Sanders; grandson, James Ray Sanders; parents, Joseph and Maria Iannucci; brother, Raffaele Iannucci; sister, Olympia Barton; sisters-in-law, Gladys Hampton, Jewel Craft, and Martha Nell Corkins; and brothers-in-law, William Bill Sanders, James “Bud” Sanders, and Fred Sanders.

The family would like to extend many heartfelt thanks to her special caregivers, Jennifer Taylor, Amy Hallford, Terressa Latham, Faye Kidd, Ariel Couey, and Joey Park, and to the staff of Hospice Compassus for their compassionate and loving care. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her honor to Fleetwood Baptist Church (2170 County Road 2281. Glenwood, AL 36034). Friends and family can sign the guestbook online at www.greenhillsfuneralhome.net. The staff of Green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the Allen family.