Leon Vincent Allison, 60, of Zirconia, North Carolina went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, April 23, 2015 after a second and courageous battle with cancer.
Born on May 25, 1954, he was the youngest child of the late Reverend L. V. Allison and Pauline Levi Allison. Growing up, he was loved, doted on and cared for by his three older sisters and enjoyed much mischief with his older brother. At age 17, he married the love of his life and soul mate, Cindy Souther. Though they started out with little, he successfully started his own landscaping/contracting business which he built with his own hands. Their family grew as they welcomed three precious children and raised them in a loving Christian home where they learned about faith, family and values such as hard work, honesty and integrity.
Licensed and ordained in 1977, Leon served as the beloved pastor of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Polk County, NC as well as Maple Hill Baptist Church in Etowah, NC. He strongly believed in serving his church and the Henderson County community of which he was a lifelong resident. Examples of his beautiful handiwork can be enjoyed at Tuxedo Park, Jackson Park and various interstate exits in Western North Carolina.
Leon was a true family man, always putting his family first and doing everything in his power to take care of and provide for them. He is survived by his loving wife and partner, Cynthia Souther Allison; three children, Kelly Allison and wife Shannon, Robbie Allison and wife Misty, and Faith Nicholson and husband Dustin; six grandchildren that he loved more than life, prayed for daily and spoiled rotten, Sydney and Kaiden Allison, Hunter and Tanner Allison, and Cooper and Lexy Nicholson; three sisters, Lois Sizemore (late husband Troy), Evelyn Sizemore and husband Kenneth, and Ruth Jackson and husband Dewey; and one brother, Ted Allison and wife Beverly. He is also lovingly survived by his aunts and uncles who helped shaped his faith and values, his father-in-law who loved him like a son, his brothers/sisters-in-law and many dear cousins that he deeply loved, as well as many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews that ìUncle Leonî loved and thought the world of. He was blessed to have good and loyal friends for which he was thankful for and loved.
Many of you reading this have been touched by Leon in one way or another; maybe he prayed for you or your loved one, helped you in your time of need or sorrow, or would take no payment for a job he did for you. Or maybe you were blessed by his ministry of buying and distributing BiblesÖa ministry that was started during his first battle with cancer and continued, no matter the trial he faced, because he always kept his faith and witnessed his love of the Lord.
A memorial service honoring Leon will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2015 at Mountain View Baptist Church in Tuxedo, NC. The family will receive friends at 2:00 PM with the service following at 3:00 PM. The Reverend Sherrill Moore will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his honor to Four Seasons Compassion for Life, 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731. The family extends their deepest appreciation to the staff of Hospice and Elizabeth House for their love and care to Leon and his family.
My thoughts are prayers are with Cindy and your family during this difficult time. Leon was very special and always treated me as a daughter, gave me good advice, and he was a true example of loving everyone like Christ does. Heaven has gained an angel!
Shannon, Kelly, Sydney & Kaiden,
I was so sad to hear of your loss. May The Lord give you the strength to get through this difficult time and beyond.
In His love,
Beverly Leddon
Cindy and Family, so sorry to hear of your loss. Leon is not in pain now. We have had many deals with Leon through the past 30 plus years, some were in the high dollar range. He was the only person that we never needed an expensive lawyer to draw up a contract between us. Always just a hand shake. Leon always held up his side of the bargain. We would have trusted him with our lives. He touched many lives in his time. We are sure that all you will miss him but we have to remember that God is in control and there is a reason for God to take him so early. All of you are in our prayers that God will comfort you.
Have you prayed for a loved one struggling hard with pain?
You asked the Lord for healing, but that healing never came.
And in spite of all your efforts, the good Lord called them Home.
It’s hard to let go when you’re trying to hold on.
Now you’re down in the valley looking up to the sky
And you’re praying “Lord, you know what’s best, but I don’t understand why.”
If you could hear your loved one speaking now to you,
They’d say, “You wouldn’t be grieving if you only knew.”
CHORUS
If you only knew I’m just going Home.
Your prayers have been answered, my sickness is gone.
Things look much better from Heaven’s view.
The Son always shines, we’re having a time,
If you only knew.
To be absent from the body is present with the Lord
I’m in the arms of Jesus now, and I’m not suffering anymore.
Hand in hand we’ll stroll together down Heaven’s avenue.
We’re having a big celebration if you only knew.
TAG
Things look much better from Heaven’s view.
The Son always shines, we’re having good times,
If you only knew.
I am so sorry to hear of Leon passing. He was a fine man, an asset to our town and I am glad to have known him. His legacy will live on with all of the trees, plants and work that he did throughout Hendersonville.
Leon was a great friend,always would help if asked,just met on a job,but knew he was someone special,will be missed & rest in peace my friend.
The Family is in our thoughts and prayers in the loss of Leon.He was a long time friend and will be missed by all who knew him. God bless the family.
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO THE FAMILY MAY GOD BLESS EVERYONE
Praying
I went to school with Leon. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. My Prayers go out to his Family. Viola London