Kristi Allen

Kristi Leigh Allen, age 48, went home to be with the Lord on August 6, 2026. Kristi was born on July 7, 1978, to Beatrice Allen and the late John Dillard Allen. She was preceded in death by her father, John Dillard Allen; her brother, Michael Kevin Allen; and her uncle, Randy Wade Williams.

Kristi is survived by her loving husband of 15 years, Shane Jones; her beloved daughter, Alexis Allen; her mother, Beatrice Allen; her aunt, Marie Williams; and her sisters, Kim Allen and Angela Marlow. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Domonick Matheson, Dawson Cress, Courtney Greene, Celena Moore and husband Thomas, Channie Herman, and Chance Phillips; and her great-nieces and great-nephews, Catherine Moore, Arline Moore, Kaizlynn Roark, and Van Moore, all of whom she loved dearly and cared for as if they were her own. She is also survived by her loving sister-in-law, Kristy Herman (Dennis Cook). Kristi is also survived by her very dear and lifelong friend, Karla Kyte, and her family, who held a special place in Kristi’s heart. 

There simply are not enough words to describe Kristi or the impact she had on the lives of those who knew and loved her. To know Kristi was to love her—and so many people had the privilege of doing just that. Kristi was truly one of a kind. She had a heart bigger than words could ever explain and a personality that was infectious. She had a way of making people feel loved, welcomed, and important. Those she loved, she loved BIG, and she showed up for them in every way she could. She was a wife, mother, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, great-aunt, nurse, and best friend, and she carried each of those roles with an incredible amount of love. 

One of the things people will remember most about Kristi was her beautiful smile. It could light up a room and somehow make everyone around her feel a little happier. It didn't matter what kind of day she was having or what she was going through—Kristi could always find a reason to smile. Even during some of the hardest days of her life, that smile remained. In her final days here on Earth, despite the pain she was experiencing and everything she was facing, Kristi was still smiling. That beautiful smile was a reflection of who she was: strong, loving, positive, and determined to find joy even when life was incredibly difficult. 

On January 6, 2026, Kristi was diagnosed with Neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma of the liver. From that very day, she made one thing clear: she was going to fight. And fight she did. Kristi fought with everything she had, all the way until her final breath. No matter what news she received or what obstacle was placed in front of her, she faced it with remarkable courage and tried to find something positive. Perhaps nothing speaks more clearly to Kristi's strength than the moment she was told there was nothing more the doctors could do and it was time to begin comfort care. Even then, her response was, “I'm still going to fight.” That was Kristi. Cancer may have changed her body and eventually taken her from this Earth, but it never took her spirit. It never took her determination. It never took her love for the people around her. And it certainly never took that beautiful smile. She was a fighter until the very end, and the strength and courage she showed throughout her journey will forever be part of her legacy. 

Kristi was incredibly proud to be a wife. She and Shane shared 15 years together, building a life filled with love, laughter, and countless memories. Shane had a special way of bringing out that beautiful smile in her, and anyone who knew Kristi knew how proud she was of him. She loved telling people about him and especially loved bragging about his exotic hunts. She was his biggest supporter and was genuinely proud of the man she had by her side. Her wedding rings were a symbol of the love and commitment she held so deeply. Kristi wore them proudly until about a month before her passing, when they eventually became too big for her finger. For a while, she would even keep her finger bent just so she could continue wearing them. It may seem like a small detail, but it says so much about how deeply Kristi treasured being Shane's wife and how tightly she held onto that symbol of their love. Although their time apart is heartbreaking, there is comfort in knowing this separation is only temporary. What a joyous day it will be in Heaven when they are together again. 

Kristi's love for her family ran incredibly deep. She was a loving and devoted daughter and an amazing, caring sister—the kind who loved fiercely, worried deeply, celebrated the good times, and was there when her family needed her most. Family meant everything to Kristi, and she never missed an opportunity to show the people closest to her just how much they meant to her. 

Kristi shared an incredibly special bond with her mother, Beatrice. Their relationship was one built on a lifetime of unconditional love, friendship, strength, and devotion to one another. Beatrice wasn’t simply Kristi’s mother; she was someone Kristi could always turn to, someone who stood beside her through every season of life and loved her through it all. That bond became even more evident throughout Kristi’s illness, as her mother remained faithfully by her side through the hardest days, offering the kind of comfort and love that only a mother can give. No matter how old we become, there is something about the love between a mother and her child that never changes, and that was certainly true for Kristi and Beatrice. Their love for one another was deep, unwavering, and truly irreplaceable. While Beatrice now carries a loss that words could never adequately describe, she will also carry 48 years of memories, love, laughter, and the unbreakable bond she shared with her daughter. Nothing—not even death—can take that away. 

She also shared an especially close and treasured bond with her aunt, Marie. Marie held a very special place in Kristi's heart, and Kristi was just as special to her. Their relationship was so much more than simply that of an aunt and niece; it was a beautiful friendship and a bond built through years of love, trust, laughter, and memories. Kristi loved Marie dearly, and the relationship they shared was something she truly treasured. 

That same love extended throughout her entire family. Kristi adored her nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephew. She rarely missed a birthday party, a game, or an important occasion. Whether it was celebrating something special or simply being there when someone needed her, Kristi showed up. She had an incredible way of making each person she loved feel important. That was simply Kristi's way—when she loved you, she loved you with her whole heart. She didn't just tell you that you mattered to her; she made sure you felt it. 

Kristi carried that same compassion into her career. She was a hard-working and deeply caring nurse who truly found her calling in caring for others. For 15 years, she worked at Ivy Hall Nursing Home. But to Kristi, there were no simply “coworkers” or “patients.” They were family. She cared deeply for the people she served and the people she worked beside, pouring her heart into being a nurse. Her compassion wasn't something she could turn on when she clocked in and turn off when she went home—it was simply part of who Kristi was. 

Throughout those years, she formed countless relationships, including friendships that became family. Two of those people, Brittany Whitson and Lisa Jones, held especially important places in Kristi's heart. Kristi loved Brittany's children, Atlas and Adalynn, as though they were her own. She loved spending time with them, visiting at Brittany's house, and especially going to Atlas's games. She was proud of them and loved being a part of their lives. Her friendship with Lisa was just as special. They could talk on the phone for what seemed like forever, and whenever they happened to have time off together, chances were they would find somewhere to eat, sit down, and catch up. These weren't simply friendships Kristi made at work. They became part of her family because that was what Kristi did. She didn't just meet people—she loved them, cared for them, and welcomed them into her life. 

Among the many friendships Kristi cherished, there was one that spanned nearly a lifetime. Her best friend, Karla Kyte, shared 35 years of memories with her—a friendship that began when they were young and grew alongside them through nearly every season of their lives. As Karla reflected on losing her best friend, she wondered how anyone could possibly sum up 35 years of memories in just a few words. The truth is, you simply can't. Karla and Kristi grew up together, making their way through middle school and high school side by side. They got their first jobs together, grew into adulthood together, and even had their girls close together. Over the course of 35 years, they experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows of life alongside one another. Their friendship grew beyond just the two of them, as Kristi's family welcomed Karla with open arms and became family to her as well. There were countless memories between them, including something as simple as taking laps around town—something Karla would give anything to be able to do with her best friend just one more time. They had so many plans for what they would do when Kristi got better, but as Karla so lovingly put it, God had different plans. Karla hopes Kristi knew just how deeply she loved her and how grateful she was to have her as her best friend for all those years. Kristi's infectious personality made people love her almost instantly, and Karla knows that is one heck of a legacy for her best friend to leave behind. And now, Karla has made Kristi a promise: she will help watch over and take care of Kristi's most prized possession, Alexis. There is comfort in knowing that every time Karla looks at Alexis's sweet face, she will see pieces of the best friend she loved for 35 years. For Karla, this isn't goodbye. It is simply, “See you later, my dear friend.” She will love Kristi, carry the memories of their 35 years together, and hold a piece of her best friend in her heart for the rest of her days. 

And above all else, Kristi was a mother. Her daughter, Alexis, was her entire world. If you knew Kristi, you knew Alexis. The two shared a mother-daughter bond unlike any other and were truly inseparable. They didn't just share everyday life together—they experienced it together. Kristi and Alexis loved making memories and going on new adventures. From concerts and trips to Disney to days spent at the beach, they cherished every opportunity to experience life side by side. Kristi loved watching Alexis grow, celebrating her accomplishments, and simply being with her. She was endlessly proud of her daughter and incredibly proud to be her mom. Of all the titles Kristi carried throughout her life, “Mom” was undoubtedly the one she wore with the greatest love and pride. Although Alexis must now continue some of life's adventures without her mom physically beside her, she will never walk through this life without Kristi. So much of Kristi lives on in her—in the memories they made, the lessons she taught her, the love they shared, and even in those familiar pieces of her mother that everyone who loved Kristi will undoubtedly see whenever they look at Alexis's sweet face. 

Kristi leaves behind something far greater than any of us can put into words. She leaves behind 35 years of friendship and memories with a best friend who loved her dearly. She leaves behind 15 years of love and marriage. She leaves behind 15 years of caring for patients and working alongside coworkers who became family. She leaves behind a family who knew they were loved because Kristi made sure they felt it. And most importantly, she leaves behind a daughter who carries so much of her mother with her. That is one heck of a legacy. Kristi was the kind of person people will talk about for years to come. Her stories will be told. Her laughter will be remembered. Her beautiful smile will still be pictured exactly as it was. Her friends will remember the laughter and the laps around town. Her family will remember how she always showed up. Her patients will remember the nurse who treated them like family. Her coworkers will remember a friend who became so much more than a coworker. Her husband will remember how proudly she wore his ring. And her daughter will carry with her a lifetime of adventures and the immeasurable love of her mother. 

The world is a little less bright without Kristi's smile in it, but Heaven surely became a little brighter when she arrived. Our hearts are broken because we wanted more time. More smiles. More phone calls. More adventures. More birthday parties and games. More trips. More laps around town. More ordinary days that we now realize weren't ordinary at all. Simply, more Kristi. But this is not goodbye. It is only, “See you later.” Until that day comes, we will take care of the people Kristi loved most. We will tell her stories. We will laugh when we remember the things only she could say or do. We will look for her in Alexis's smile. We will carry her love with us. And we will make sure the beautiful, unforgettable woman who loved so many people so deeply is never forgotten. Kristi was truly one of a kind. She loved big. She fought hard. She smiled through it all. And she was loved beyond measure. There will never be another Kristi, and everyone fortunate enough to have known and loved her will carry a piece of her in their hearts for the rest of their days. 

Kristi’s favorite color was purple. The family kindly asks everyone to wear purple to the services if you’re able. 

The family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Dyson Grove Baptist Church. The funeral service will follow at 7 p.m. with Pastor Leonard Fletcher officiating. The graveside service and burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at Dyson Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Alexis Allen, Tyler Shomate, Shane Jones, Dawson Cress, Karla Kyte, Michael Kyte, Gracie Kyte, Celena and Thomas Moore and Channie Herman. Honorary pallbearers are Domonick Matheson, Marie Williams, Beatrice Allen, Chance Phillips, Courtney Greene and Kristy Herman.

The family will receive friends at the home of her mother, 717 Williams Ln, Butler, TN 37640. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude’s in memory of her. Condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.mountaincityfh.com

The family of Kristi Leigh Allen has entrusted her services to Mountain City Funeral Home, 224 S. Church Street, Mountain City, Tennessee 37683.