Angela Michelle Allen

 Angela Michelle Allen (those who knew her, called her Michelle), age 42, of Thompson's Station, TN died on August 21, 2024, at 2:12 AM at her home. She was born to Michael Henry and Beverly Cardwell Brown in Union City, TN. Survived by husband, Andrew Corbitt Allen; son, Crosby Hudson Allen; daughter, Brileigh Harper Allen; brother, Brandon Michael Henry; and many family members and friends.

 She attended Church of the City in Franklin, TN. She served for many years in the kids' ministry, working with 3rd and 4th grade girls. She also served in the WrapAround Ministry. This was a special ministry that was close to Michelle’s heart because it focused on vulnerable children and serving foster care families. In fact, two days before she died, she was serving by doing another family’s laundry. 

Michelle and her husband, Drew, were married in 2005 in White House, Jamaica. They met in their last year of college at Western Kentucky University, where she was a member of the Phi Mu sorority and received a bachelor’s degree in Theatre. After they were married, they quickly moved to Los Angeles, to allow Michelle to pursue a career in acting. She got right to work, taking acting classes, getting headshots taken, and auditioning for roles. It wasn’t long before she started booking extra parts in various TV shows. She appeared in several episodes of major TV series and daytime dramas. She was a SAG-AFTRA certified actor. After three years in Hollywood, Michelle became pregnant with her first child, Brileigh Harper Allen. The juggle of auditions and motherhood presented her with a choice. She, of course, chose her family. Being a mother was one of the most joyous, rewarding parts of her life. Drew and Michelle continued to live in Los Angeles for another five years also bringing a boy, Crosby Hudson Allen, into the world. After eight fun-filled years in the grind of L.A., they sold everything and moved to Tennessee. Less than a year later, Drew and Michelle decided to take a grand adventure to Europe. They packed every suitcase, every car seat and stroller they would need, for a 2 year-old and 4-year-old, and jetted off across the Atlantic. They rented a car from the Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, and hit the road. The family of four, spent three full months, working and traveling all over mainland Europe. They spent extended time in France, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco and Spain. During their travels, they decided they weren’t quite done with California, so when they came back to the states, they rented a house in Temecula, CA, near San Diego. They would spend nearly three years there, working, exploring Southern California’s wineries, making lots of friends and memories. But eventually, the cost of living would prove to be too much. So they, once again, packed up the family and headed back to the more tax-friendly state of Tennessee. 

They decided to move to Thompson's Station, just south of Nashville, where they bought their first house. It would also be their last house together. Nearly nine years later, Michelle passed away. 

It all started in January of 2020, when Michelle was first diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. She had a genetic mutation that had migrated its way to virtually every part of her body. Michelle was always a never-smoker. She lived a healthy lifestyle of good eating and regular hikes and walks. She even trained for and ran a Marathon in San Diego, California. Her cancer was simply bad luck. She had a genetic abnormality known as the EGFR mutation. Her doctors immediately prescribed her a new, revolutionary cancer drug that was in pill form. Just one pill, once a day, would keep her cancer at bay. Easy. And for three short years it was just that. Easy. Until it wasn’t. The drug eventually stopped working, and new tumors began to form in her brain. The old tumors around her body began to grow again. The last year and a half of her life, Michelle moved from clinical trial to clinical trial, trying to find something new that would work. All in all, she endured (with enormous grace and strength) 2 different rounds of brain radiation, a round of lung radiation, kidney radiation, intestinal radiation, 4 rounds of traditional chemotherapy and a litany of prescriptions and other treatments to try to get control of her cancer. But in the early hours of August 21st, 2024, Michelle left us. She packed her bags and moved to her new home in heaven. Her life, her legacy, now lives on in her two beautiful children.

 Her husband said of her:  “Her parents were prophetic in choosing the name Angela, for she truly was an angel on earth. An angel I was blessed to sit with, share moments with, and learn from. She was, without a doubt, the closest glimpse of heaven I’ve ever had the privilege to witness in this world. Her joy was unmistakable, radiating from within her and touching everyone she encountered. Michelle had a remarkable ability to care for others, unmatched by anyone I’ve ever known. She loved with a heart that was completely open, and she led with a grace and kindness that left a lasting impact on every soul she met. Strangers were never just strangers to her; they quickly became cherished friends. But above all else, what defined Michelle was the way she loved her children. It was a love that reflected God's own - unconditional, unwavering, and boundless. I have no doubt that even now, from the other side of eternity, she continues to pour out that love on us right now. And I look forward with all my heart to the day when I will see her again. I love you, Michelle.” 

A Memorial Service was held at 3:30PM Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at Church of the City, 828 Murfreesboro Road, Franklin, TN 37064.