Whenever one or more Carver Elementary School students needed refuge from a troubled home, guidance counselor Janette Lewis Allen allowed them to spend the night at her house.

“She had a passion for education and community service, particularly when it came to children,” said members of her family.

The retired educator, who died at age 80 on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, is being remembered for the caring role she played in the lives of the Richmond children with whom she interacted.

Family and friends celebrated Mrs. Allen’s life Saturday, Dec. 30, at Cedar Street Baptist Church of God, where she had been a member more than 70 years. Her family joined the church when they moved to Richmond from Mullins, S.C.

A graduate of Armstrong High School, Mrs. Allen began her 45-year career in education after earning her degree at Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina in 1965.

She taught for 10 years in New Kent County’s public schools before earning a master’s degree at Virginia Commonwealth University.

She later joined the faculty of Richmond Public Schools, first as a teacher before becoming a guidance counselor.

Mrs. Allen spent 35 years with RPS before retiring and was best known for her service to the children who attended Carver.

The Mechanicsville resident was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for nearly 50 years and also took part in informal groups that she and friends created, including the DJEMS and Wednesday’s Girls.

She also was active at Cedar Street, where she taught Sunday School, served on internal committees and was a member of the church’s Usher Board.

Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Leroy W. Allen Sr.; two sons, Leroy W. Allen Jr. and Brandon G. Allen; a brother, James “Jimmy” Lowery; and four grandchildren.