Allen Lee Lail

Allen Lee Lail of Vonore, former resident of Maryville, TN, departed this life on Friday, April 18, 2025.

Left to cherish his memory is devoted wife of 43 years, Gail Thomas Lail; son and daughter-in-law, Brent Allen and Allison Brannon Lail; grandsons, Ethan Thomas Lail, Calvin Henry Lail; mother-in-law, Virginia Gentry Thomas, who loved Allen like a son; niece, Beth (Trey) Hallman; nephew, Eddie (Traci) Lail; great nieces, Courtney and Charlie; great-nephew, Hank; sisters-in-law, Rhonda Godfrey, Janet Myers Lunsford.

Allen was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Ruthie Bryant and John and Nola Lail; parents, John Leffery Lail and Mary Leona Bryant Lail; and all his siblings, Mary Catherine, Joyce Carol, Leffery Holden and John Isom Lail; sister-in-law, Francis Knoll Lail; father-in-law, Wayne Thomas who loved him like a son.

Allen graduated from Everett High School in 1970. He was a Hiwassee College graduate-class of 1972. Allen continued his education at University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Allen began working at an early age on the Lail’s farm located in the Alnwick Community. He developed a strong work ethic, which carried over into his work experiences off the family’s farm. Allen’s work experience included working for other Blount County farmers and business owners, such as Smoky View Market, Coca-Cola Plant, Blount County Schools, Dwarf Drive-In, truck driving at South Blount County Utility District with 43 years of service until his retirement on February 2, 2022. He held several different positions during his tenure there including digging ditches by hand, to serving as Assistant Manager. He had perfect attendance in school and rarely missed a day of work. When he did, it was usually related to caring for his mom, sister Joy or Gail during her serious health issues. He remained totally faithful to his mom and Joy after leaving home to start his own little family, especially after his father’s death in 1986. Their needs were put before his own. He did everything he could to see that their needs were always met.

Allen loved being a father. He was very proud of Brent and his accomplishments. He especially enjoyed farming with Brent after he returned from college. They also shared a love of horses. He was Brent’s biggest fan as we traveled to Quarter Horse shows to watch Brent compete. It was a special family time. We took his mom and sister with us to many shows as they could make special memories with us. Hay season and gardening was also a favorite family time on the farm. Carrying on that family tradition was special to Allen and his mom. Three generations doing what they loved together was very special.

Last year’s hay season was super special for Allen to have his son and grandsons in the hayfield together. 3 generations on tractors together harvesting hay, Allen felt very blessed to have that experience with his boys! Ethan and Calvin were like the cherries on top of his favorite coconut cake. He loved seeing Ethan perform in the school’s band playing his saxophone and watching Calvin riding horses. He loved helping them learn about farm life and trying to help mold them into young men with good character. The love they shared was the icing on the cake.

Going forward without Allen is going to be really tough. Please pray for us as we make this transition to life without him. We thank God for sharing him with us. Looking forward to rejoining him with our Lord. We are thankful that he’s no longer in pain and suffering. We thank God for our many blessings, for salvation, mercy, comfort, and grace. To him be all the glory, AMEN!

We’d like to thank all of our friends and family for the prayers, love, and support that’s been given to us. Thanks for all the visits, phone calls, farm help, caregiving that we were gifted with during this challenging journey. Allen felt the love and comfort from all your efforts made on his behalf. Thanks to his wonderful Drs., nurses, caregivers, and other support staff supporting us on his behalf. Thank you, Pastor Austin Davis and Smoky View Baptist family for what you’ve done on our behalf. May God richly bless those who have given of yourself on our behalf. Thank you for your service to the Lord.

Thank you to McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home for serving us as we say our farewell to Allen until we meet again. Rest in peace, you definitely deserve it, Allen Lee Lail.

The family will receive friends 5:00-7:00 PM Friday, April 25, 2025, at McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral with funeral services to follow at 7:00 PM with Rev. Austin Davis officiating. The interment will be 11:00 AM Saturday at Sherwood Memorial Gardens.