Margaret Yvonne Haggard Allen, 84, passed away February 19, 2025.

Born in Trenton, Georgia to the late James Vernon and Margaret Elizabeth Haggard, Yvonne moved with her parents and two brothers to Oak Ridge during the Manhattan Project. She shared many stories about early Oak Ridge. One of her favorites was skipping a grade. As a rising 2nd grader but was too afraid to go to class on her own. She followed her 3rd grade brother to his class, and it was months before the school realized she was in the wrong grade. The teacher said she was doing well, and to leave her.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers, Daniel Carr Haggard, III, James Vernon Haggard, Jr; her sister-in-law Janet Allen Haggard; nephews Daniel Carr Haggard, IV and James Vernon Haggard III, as well as in-laws Joe Robert and Margaret Sadler Allen.

Married for 66 years, she is survived by her husband, Joe Larry Allen, of Clinton, TN who she met at Da Rabbit gas station in Oliver Springs. She is also survived by her daughter, Yvette Allen Cantrell and husband Bruce Phillips of Oak Ridge; her son, Joe Larry Allen Jr. and wife Jennifer of Clinton; and daughter Michelle Allen Lee of Andersonville.

For over 40 years, Yvonne managed school cafeterias in Anderson County, which left her time to be a devoted grandmother. Yvonne was the ultimate grandmother and doted on taking care of her grandkids. She spent hours chauffeuring, feeding, and reading to them, with many trips to McDonald’s drive thru.

Survived by grandchildren; Megan Allen Hopson and her husband John, of Oak Ridge; Joe Larry Allen, III and wife Xin-Lei of San Jose, CA; Andrew Lee and wife Vivian of Winston-Salem, NC; Courtney Cantrell of Charlotte, NC; Erin Lee of Knoxville, TN and Chris Lee of Andersonville, TN.

She was also blessed with great-grandchildren, Colton and Ellie Kay Hopson and Alayna Lee. Other special people in her life were her nephew Trevor Haggard and wife Jolene.

Jackson Funeral Home in Oliver Springs, TN will oversee arrangements. A private family service will be held at a future date.

To leave a message or share a memory with Yvonne's family please visit our online guest book at jacksonfuneralservices.com