Lila Brenda Sumner Allred, 84, a beloved mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, and great-great grandmother passed away peacefully at her home on April 8, 2026. Born on February 3, 1942, in Burlington, Alamance County, North Carolina, Brenda lived a life marked by dedication, hard work, and immense love for those closest to her.

Brenda’s work career was rooted in the manufacturing industry where she worked for Burlington Industries (J. Spencer Love Plant) and then later at A.O. Smith from where she retired. She is remembered for her faithful, dependable and hard-working character in and outside of the workplace.

At the heart of Brenda’s life was her family, community and church. Growing up in the Hopedale community with ten brothers and sisters, she held a deep and lifelong bond with family, as well as with her childhood, church and work friends, a value she cherished and cultivated throughout her life. She was particularly proud of her grandchildren, great- grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, who brought joy and delight into her days. She was also known for hosting frequent meal get-togethers and for her wonderful southern cooking— especially her biscuits and chicken & dumplings.

In 1958, Brenda married Walter Louis Allred, who passed in 1989. Walter & Brenda briefly lived in Fayetteville and Elizabeth City, North Carolina, during the time of Walter’s military service. They returned to the Burlington- Alamance area where they raised their family and lived for the remainder of their lives. Often over the years, even after Walter passed, Brenda took in and provided a stable home and cared for a grandchild and for her great grandchildren. She was a member of Staley Memorial Baptist Church from her childhood until her passing. Brenda’s steadfast support and care for others spoke volumes about her values, strength and devotion.

Brenda is survived by her loving sons, Gary Lee Allred and his wife Robin, and Alan Dale Allred and his wife Kimberly, along with her 10 Grandchildren Erin A. Hurley (David), Ashley A. Bradley (Daniel), Alana K. Hodges (Matt), Alex Allred (Valerie), Evan Allred (Leanne), Zachary Barringer (Mary), Madison Allred, Reilly Allred, Brooks Allred, and Jennifer Allen, her 16 great-grandchildren Kate, Claire and Samuel Hurley, Isaiah Bradley, Logan, Bella, and Roman Hodges, Zoe, Oliver, and Levi Allred, Hazel Allred, Delaney Barringer, Celeste Custodio, Kayleigh and Breyana Jeffries, and Bryson Hodge, and her 4 great-great-grandchildren Soul and Leo Pegram, George Hodges, and Naelani Williams, as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; Walter Louis Allred, her daughter Celia Jane “Sissy” Allen, parents Herbert Gordon Sumner and Elizabeth Taylor Sumner, and her 10 siblings; Beverly Brown, Grant Sumner, Gerald Sumner, Sally Ford, Gordon Sumner, Grady Sumner, Mary Cook, Conrad Sumner, Jeffrey Sumner, and Kay Laughlin.

We thank her friends and family for their encouraging visits through her illness and many who helped provide care. We also extend our sincere special thanks to her niece, Pat Strider, for her loving support and caregiving for Brenda for over a year and a half through to her end on this earth.

A Funeral Service to honor Brenda’s life and to glorify her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 11, 2026 in the chapel at Lowe Funeral Home with the burial to follow at Alamance Memorial Park. The service will be conducted by Rev. Rodney Staley. The family will receive friends from 12:30 – 1:45 PM prior to the service at the funeral home and at other times from 4-8 PM at her residence at 710 Rolling Rd, Haw River, NC.