Simona Atkins Allen was born on February 10, 1932 in Houston, Texas, the youngest daughter of Jasper Alston Atkins and Maude Smith Atkins.  She peacefully passed on February 9, 2023 from complications of Alzheimer's disease.

Simona, affectionately known as "Monie", was an amazing student in school, as exemplified by her being valedictorian of Atkins High School, the high school which was named in honor of her grandfather, Dr. Simon Green Atkins who was the founder of Winston-Salem State University.  She was a proud graduate of Fisk University, summa cum laude, and later received a Master's degree from Oberlin College and the Conservatory of Music in Ohio.

Simona and Dr. Harvey Hamilton Allen, Sr., her husband and childhood sweetheart, were the proud parents of two children, Dr. Gail Atkins Allen, M.D. and Dr. Harvey H. Allen, Jr., M.D.  They loved and supported their children, and provided the resources that they needed to receive outstanding educations.  The entire Atkins family was passionate about the importance of education within the African American community.  One of the many accomplishments was to petition the North Carolina Board of Education for the desegregation of Forsyth County public schools. Simona often spoke of the tribulations involved in sending her daughter Gail to be the first child to desegregate the Winston-Salem public schools. Simona's courage in this effort not only was to benefit her own children, but also to benefit the children of color throughout the state of North Carolina.  Her two grandchildren -- Harvey H. Allen, III, who is the spitting image of his grandfather, is currently a third-year medical student at Duke University, and Joshua Allen, who has Simona's gift of music, is an electrical engineer at the Boeing Corporation in Seattle, Washington.

Simona, like her mother, was musically gifted.  She was a concert pianist, author, and music educator.  Not only was Simona an artist, she also was a patron of the arts.  She led her beloved Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Winston-Salem graduate chapter in founding the Delta Fine Arts Center. As a nationally recognized arts center, it has exhibited world-renowned African American artists since its inception, and continues to do so today.

Along with her work at the Delta Fine Arts Center, Simona's community activism included being a long-time member of the Wentz Memorial Congregational United Church of Christ, where she was the Music Director for over 40 years.  She served as president both of Delta Sigma Theta's Alpha Beta chapter at Fisk University, as well as the Winston-Salem graduate chapter.  In honor of her grandfather's great legacy, Simona regularly participated in the annual Founder's Day program at Winston-Salem State University, where she read the Litany of Commemoration at the Wreath-Placing Ceremony.  She also received many awards from the North Carolina Arts Council, North Carolina Museum Department of Art, Winston-Salem YWCA, Girl Scouts of America, and the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine of North Carolina.  Simona Atkins Allen's accomplishments and contributions to the community were many, but her brilliance, ferocious curiosity, and loving heart will especially be missed by those who knew her and loved her dearly.

Simona is survived by her daughter, Gail Allen; her son, Harvey Allen, Jr. (Julienne); and two grandchildren, Harvey Allen, III, and Joshua Allen.  Her memory will be cherished by her best and closest friend, Mrs. Montana Davis, who knew both Simona and her husband since their early school years.  Simona also leaves to mourn her first cousins Mary Bruce, Caroline Tucker, Ethel Andrews, Elinor Smith (Gilbert), and Joy Carew, as well as a host of family members and friends who loved her and who will miss her!

Funeral services for Simona Atkins Allen will be held at the Wentz Memorial Congregational United Church of Christ, 3435 Carver School Road in Winston-Salem on February 18th, 2023, at 1:30 pm for the Omega Omega service.  The funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm.   The repast will be at the Delta Fine Arts Center following the service.  She will be buried at Evergreen Cemetery alongside her dearly departed husband.

Donations in memory of Simona Atkins Allen may be directed to the Delta Fine Arts Center, 2611 New Walkertown Road, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27105, or to the Wentz Memorial Congregational United Church of Christ, 3435 Carver School Road, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27105