Carolyn Faith Allender, age 82 of Bridgeport, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 7, 2025, at Aperion Care of Bridgeport.
Carolyn Faith Allender, age 82 of Bridgeport, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 7, 2025, at Aperion Care of Bridgeport. She was born November 16, 1942 in Sumner to Harlan and Ruby (Bennett) Brewer.
On March 4, 1960, Faith married the love of her life, Paul Robert Allender, at the Free Methodist Church in Bridgeport. For 55 years, they raised their four children and watched their family grow until his passing on July 1, 2015. A true testament of their love and devotion was building their log home together...piece by piece.
Beyond being a homemaker devoted to her family, she dedicated herself to helping and caring for others. She began as a CNA then furthering her career as an LPN, and finally earning an Associate’s Degree in Nursing at the age of 48. She was appointed Director of Nursing at Bridgeport Nursing Home in 1993 where she had a rewarding and fulfilling career until her retirement.
Family was such an important part of who Faith was. She absolutely loved having her log home filled with her grandchildren every weekend. Planting, building, and growing flower beds yearly was important to her as well…directing Paul as to what to do and where to do it was part of that plan. Part of enjoying her home involved feeding and watching her hummingbirds. She loved fishing with her sister, Pat, and playing cards. Faith loved to take trips to the beach where she could walk along the water and collect shells.
Her last two years were in her “little home” in town with some wonderful neighbors who became beloved friends that shared her love of front porch sitting and drinking coffee.
Faith was gifted her companion dog, Lizzie, when her soulmate died. You could always find Lizzie right by her side. She is now living the life in Florida.
Faith was known by “Nana” by all who loved her. She was a force to be reckoned with and the “toughest ol’ bird we knew.” She will be dearly missed. In her honor, love your family well and keep “making memories.”
Those left to continue Faith’s legacy of love include: four children- Michael Allender and wife Brenda of Herod, IL, Steven and wife Kathy of Apopka, FL, Nina Lemeron and her husband Tony of Bridgeport, IL, and Lisa Klein and Angela Jones of Bridgeport, IL: eight grandchildren- Jon-Michael Allender and wife Stacy, Christopher Allender and wife Kallie, Cody Allender and wife Whitney, Ava Wright and husband Jacob, Trevor Lemeron, Alayna Lemeron, Ryan Klein and wife Brooke, and Bri Klein: numerous greatly loved great-grandchildren: and her nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by: her parents, husband, a great-grandson, four sisters- Ines Catterton, Frances Marie Madden, Lola Fox, and Nina Poland, and four brothers- Roy (in infancy), Ray, Rannie, and Alva Brewer.
A time of visitation will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the Cunningham Funeral Home in Bridgeport from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow immediately at 12:00 p.m. As per Faith’s wishes, cremation will take place following her services.
Memorial contributions can be made in her honor to the American Cancer Society directly or through the funeral home. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.cunninghamfuneralhomes.com.
