Nancy Laurel Chapman Allen was born December 27, 1932, in Cartersville, Georgia, to George and Leona Chapman. She was the youngest of nine children and was always known as the baby in the family. When she was two years of age, her widowed mother moved her large family to Live Oak, Florida, and began managing the Magnolia Boarding House. Nancy began going to the Nazarene Church in Live Oak. Desiring to learn piano, she started practicing piano in the basement of the United Methodist Church, teaching herself to play. When she was in high school, Nancy moved to Ocala, Florida. She played basketball and was a cheerleader at Ocala High School where she graduated in 1952. She married her high school sweetheart in 1952 and had her first child, Landon Mortland Cheek, Jr. (Lanny.)  Later, Nancy and Lanny moved back to Live Oak to help aging family.  She met and married her husband, I. J. Allen, in 1956 and together they had three children, Debbie, Dale and Laurel Gaye. Nancy became the organist at First Baptist Church where she served for 48 years. She played the piano for many weddings and funerals in her community. She pursued higher education at Valdosta State University and received her Bachelor of Science in Education. Nancy taught school at Suwannee Elementary School until her retirement in 1999. Nancy loved living in Live Oak and serving her community. She was a member of the Live Oak Women's Club and enjoyed being a part of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her most favorite thing to do was to travel which she did quite often, especially with her sisters.

Nancy is preceded in death by her husband, I.J. Allen, her son, James Dale Allen, as well as her parents and all her siblings.

She is survived by her son Lanny Cheek (Patty), two daughters, Debbie Solano (Michael), Laurel Merritt (Steve) and daughter-in-law, Pam Allen; nine grandchildren, Eric Cheek (Michelle), Ryne Allen (Cherie), Kerri Garis (Frank), Adam Merritt (Amy), Kristen Drury (Justin), Bryne Allen (Brandy), Rachel Morrell (Curtis), Daniel Merritt (Erin), Samuel Merritt and 14 great-grandchildren. Nancy's strength, determination and "spunky spirit" will live on through her children and grandchildren. A funeral service to honor the life of Mrs. Allen will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 15, 2024, from the Chapel of Daniels Funeral Home with Nancy's son-in-law, Steve Merritt officiating. Interment will be in Live Oak Cemetery. Visitation and gathering with family will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. (one hour before the service) at Daniel's Funeral Home & Crematory of Live Oak, Florida, 1126 Ohio Ave. N., Live Oak, FL 32064. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Community Hospice & Palliative Care, 4266 Sunbeam Rd., Jacksonville, FL  32257

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