Nina Jean Allman

It is with great sadness and much love that we mourn the passing of Nina Jean Smith Allman, of Mineral Wells, West Virginia on September 4, 2026 at the age of 88. Following a year of intermittently battling with the recovery of two hip surgeries, the early stages of Alzheimer's disease and a brief bout with pneumonia, Nina's last moments on Earth were peaceful. She was lovingly surrounded by many members of her family and her much loved fur babies, Punky and Novaskye whilst being delivered a final prayer by her niece Terri Lynn Smith Hertz and preacher Frank Miller in her precious home on Meadow Drive. Thankfully, her long goodbye took place at home where she was cared for by her children, grandchildren and the wonderful services provided by the hospice nurses and caregivers of Amedisys.

Born on June 8, 1938, Nina grew up on a farm in Rockport, West Virginia. On May 19, 1956, at 18 years old she married the love of her life and best friend, Norman Roosevelt Allman. Within their marriage, they nourished an unwavering bond built upon their shared values as followers of faith and for building a community of both blood and found family. Her relationship with God grew strong through her relationship with Norman, and faith remained the bedrock of Nina’s life in which she became a dedicated member of several churches over the years including Mt. Pleasant, Grace Gospel and 14th Avenue Gospel Mission. Nina and Norman’s faith-led journey began together through a move to Bayonne, New Jersey for a few years in support of Norman’s Navy enlistment. Following his service, they both moved to Parkersburg, West Virginia, where they began growing their family of eventually four loving and proud children. In January 1963, they moved to their home on Meadow Drive in Mineral Wells, West Virginia, where she lived for the rest of her life. Their adoring marriage lasted 65 years, until Norman's final days in November of 2020.

Nina will be forever cherished as a heartbeat of a wide community that flourished at Meadow Drive. Her proudest contribution was wholeheartedly building and nourishing this home that no one ever fully left, for several generations of family and friends. Through her, Meadow Drive became a home to over 60 years of memories, love and traditions shared with Nina. So many found a home within her; knowing Nina meant witnessing care and forgiveness that bore no limitations. She was forever accepting of all of those she loved, and was always curious about knowing and caring for everyone fully. Through night and day, she opened a door to many, whilst patiently holding and guiding them in the hills and valleys of their lives. Through homemaking, she unfailingly fed her village with delicious homemade meals, including her delicious lasagne, German chocolate cake and noodles. She also spent her days decorating her garden with beautifully cared for flowers, fruits and vegetables; which she would then can and pickle to gift to loved ones.

Nina will be eternally remembered for her kindness, strength, and unwavering devotion to everyone she loved. Witnessing her endless compassion and responsibility to people was undoubtedly impactful for everyone who knew her; hopefully this care she poured into people can now be embodied within all who she loved.

Furthermore, Nina shared so much joy within her countless family and friendships whilst growing up on Gates Ridge, being a snowbird at Regency Cove in Tampa, Florida, and other places too numerous to name.

Everywhere she landed, she invited those already in her life to visit her with open arms, and grew her community even wider within her friendships. Very special in her heart, was always her lifelong friendship with the Walter and Janet Bierer family, as Janet and Nina were each other’s chosen sisters. Nina also built long-lasting loving relationships with Janice Thompson and her faithful neighbors over the long number of years including special friend Betty Jo Pryce Morehead, and numerous others who predeceased her including Mary Lou Cox, Helen Wright, Louise and Paul Johnson.

Nina was the proud mother of Debbie Sue Allman Jackson of Woodstock, Maryland, Tammie Leah Monroe Goff of Washington, West Virginia, Lisa Dawn Allman Small of Mineral Wells, West Virginia, and Eric Scott Allman of Vienna, West Virginia.

She was also known as Grammy to her nine grandchildren; Matthew David Monroe (Donna), Andrew Michael Monroe (Rachel), Crystal Jade Longwell (Jason), Aimee Nichole Allman Rhoades, Ryan Dean Small (Mackenzie / Kitty), Lacey Nicole Small Charles (Austin), Alex Allman Jackson, Jordon Brionna Allman (Noah) and Amanda Allman Jackson (James).

Grammy was also the cherished great-grandmother to thirteen great-grandchildren; David Monroe, Bryant Monroe, Madelynn Monroe, Lana Rhoades, Brantley Squires, Lennox (Lennie) Rhoades, Hunter Stephens. Lilah Rhoades, Kaden Small, River Rexroad, Emersyn (Emmy Lou) Small, Willow Rexroad, and Jasper Charles due to be born.

Her family are heartened to know that she has now joined her beloved husband of almost 65 years, Norman Roosevelt Allman, and her precious daughter, Tammie Leah Monroe Goff in her heavenly home. As her recent years have been filled with much grief and loss, there brewed an emptiness in her life that never quite went away. Her family are also warmed to know she is now also with her beloved sister Ireta McCoy, her close in age nephew Clair Thompson (who was like a brother to her), sister-in-law Mary Seaman, and numerous others.

She additionally is predeceased by multiple others who have deeply shaped her life, inclusive of her parents, Jack Alexander Smith and Minnie Amelia Dorst Smith, and her siblings Lena Thompson (Carol), Everett Smith (Betty), Betty Skinner (Clair), Opal Gates (Everett), Ireta McCoy (Clair), and Vernon Smith (Grace). She was the last remaining of the seven siblings in her family except her cherished sister in-law Betty Smith who met when Nina was only 4 and Betty was 14. Also remembered are her mother and father in-law, Ruth Pearl Lucas Allman and William Earnest Allman, brother in-laws Vernon, Charles and Clifford Allman, much loved sister in-law Mary Seaman, nephews; Ronald Thompson, Neal Seaman, and Daniel Allman, nieces; Sharon Gates Markle, Carla and Margaret Allman, and Lucille Thompson Murrey, son in-law, Dave Monroe, and many other loved ones.

Nina is survived by her children, Debbie Jackson, Lisa Small and her husband Marvin, and Eric Allman and his beloved Michele Hess; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; as well as many cherished cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends too numerous to mention.

As a celebration of her long blessed life, her family is inviting anyone who had the privilege of their life being touched by Nina.

Memorial services will be held at Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home, 2333 Pike Street, Parkersburg, West Virginia 26101. Visitation will commence 5-8pm on Saturday, September 12, 2026, followed by a loving funeral service officiated by Tim Burch on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 1:00pm. Interment will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens.
Lastly, all are welcome to honor Nina with a dinner at the home she nourished for many years at 153 South Meadow Drive, Mineral Wells, West Virginia. We ask all who come to bring a side dish or dessert to contribute to a Celebration of Life dinner in remembrance of the many years and dinners shared with Nina within those walls.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace.
Amen.

By request of the family, the funeral service will be livestreamed for anyone unable to attend the service in person.

https://player.memoryshare.com/video/nina-allman-southparkersburg-wv