Emogene Harris Allen, 75, of 19100 East Shelby Road, New Knoxville, Ohio, died on Friday, February 19, 2010, at her home.

Helen Emogene Harris was born on November 6, 1934, in Great Bend, Meigs County, Ohio, the daughter of Dexter and Helen (Proffitt) Harris. Emogene was involved with cooking and sewing in Home Economics while in school. At county fairs she entered cooking, canning, baking, and garment making contests. She graduated from Racine High School in 1952, and on May 30 of the same year married Howard R. Allen of Pomeroy, Ohio, whom she met two years earlier in her hometown of Great Bend. Together they raised five children.

Emogene worked in a Bible Bookstore in Xenia, Ohio, for a number of years. She also coordinated and traveled for the Xenia Chapter of the American Red Cross doing presentations to promote Red Cross Blood Mobiles. In 1962, Howard and Emogene Allen first took the foundational class on Power for Abundant Living offered by The Way Ministry and began their nearly five decades of involvement with the ministry. From 1966 through 1998 Emogene managed The Way International Bookstore operations. It was in this capacity that she was instrumental in developing many of the procedures for mail order and item preparation, inspection, and distribution that later branched off into other Departments at The Way International Headquarters. In 1977, Howard R. Allen was installed as the second Secretary-Treasurer of The Way International, and Emogene faithfully supported him in this service.

Emogene and Howard received the distinction of First Way Corps (a ministerial training program) in 1994 and recognition as emeritus Way Corps in October of 1998. Together they served with faithfulness and commitment to God and the ministry. With loving and dedicated service to God’s people, Emogene’s example has inspired many followers of The Way. She awaits the return of Christ and the rewards of the future.

She is survived by her husband Howard R. Allen, of New Knoxville, Ohio, and three brothers, Dale (Jean) Harris of Grove Hill, Alabama; Paul (Marilyn) Harris of Racine, Ohio; Charles (Waynita) Harris of Portland, Ohio; and five children, Cindy Lou (Michael) Fort of Indianapolis, Indiana; Krista Sue (Roger) Wulber of Willowdell, Ohio; H.Steven Allen of Indianapolis, Indiana; Michael C. (Jenny) Allen of New Knoxville, Ohio; Daniel H. (Shelby) Allen of New Knoxville, Ohio, and twelve grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

A recognition service will be held at The Way International Headquarters in New Knoxville, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that those that prefer to make a personal financial donation may send it “In honor of Emogene Allen” to:

The Way International, Box 328, New Knoxville, Ohio, 45871.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Vornholt-Miller Funeral Home in New Knoxville.