Obituary - Dallas Ashley Allen

Dallas Ashley Allen passed away October 10, 2025 one day after her 93rd birthday, at Our Lady of Hope, Henrico, Virginia. Dallas was born in Lovingston, Virginia October 9, 1932, to the late Thomas Henry Ashley and Annie Giles Ashley. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank H. Allen. Dallas was also preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, Lunsford and Nancy Ashley; brother, H.T. Ashley; and sister and brother-in-law, Alice and Albert Burnette.

She is survived by her daughters, Carolyn A. Saunders and husband, Tom, of Henrico; Catherine A. English of Lynchburg; and Donna A. Burns and husband, David, of Midlothian. Dallas is also survived by six grandchildren: Melissa Patterson (Daniel), Ashley Saunders (Tom Dickinson), Ben Saunders (Sytira), Neal Burns (Iryna), Laura Burns, and Emily McConnell (Thomas). Dallas especially enjoyed her great-grandchildren: Mason Patterson, Cora and Reid Dickinson, Kirby Saunders, Neal Burns, Elizabeth and Charlotte McConnell, and step great-granddaughter, Ivanna Butler. She is also survived by a special sister-in-law, Gloria Ashley.

Dallas grew up on the family farm and graduated from Lovingston High School in 1949. Dallas and Frank married in 1950 and during their marriage, they lived in Lovingston, Crozet, and Free Union (better known as The Big 40). After Frank’s death in 1993, Dallas lived in Charlottesville before moving to Henrico in 2018. In addition to taking care of the family, Dallas worked in Frank’s building contracting business keeping the books and taking care of administrative tasks. After her girls left home, she worked at the University of Virginia Medical Center for 21 years until her retirement. Dallas was a long-time active member of Crozet Baptist Church where she participated in various volunteer roles and particularly enjoyed many years of service with the Caring Ministry.

Dallas loved and enjoyed her family, friends, church, and the several little canine companions she had over the years. She has been our family’s glue. We will remember her kindness, concern for others, and dry sense of humor. She celebrated our wins in life but also had a unique capacity to listen at length to our woes.

The family would like to thank the staff at Our Lady of Hope Assisted Living for their kindness over the last several years and especially in the difficult last weeks.

A time of gathering and fellowship will be held at Teague Funeral Home Chapel, 2260 Old Ivy Road, Charlottesville, on Thursday, October 16 from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM followed by a graveside service at 2:30 PM at Holly Memorial Gardens, 3251 Seminole Trail, Charlottesville, officiated by Rev. Colleen Swingle-Titus.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Friends of Campbell County Animal Control, 1400 Edley Place, Lynchburg VA 24502 or online at friendsofcampbellcounty.org.