Saluda, SC

Sallie Allene King Able

Allene was born on November 2, 1924, to Delton Thomas and Maggie Carter King. After graduating from Loris High School in 1940, she attended Draughan's Business College in Columbia and also got an industrial accounting and management degree from USC. It was in Columbia where she met the love of her life, Oscar Able; they married on December 8, 1951.

Allene joined St Paul United Methodist Church in 1952 and was very active in Sunday school, mission circles and choir until 2013 when she became disabled. In her heyday, she was St Paul's best recruiter, appearing at prospective church member houses with a car full of kids, homemade cake and freshly picked roses in hand.

Allene loved to garden, where she was known as the "Rose Lady". She was a charter member of the Pyracantha Garden Club in 1953 and was a member until she died. She served on the Saluda Beautification Committee and the Saluda Garden Club Council for several years.

Roses were a big part of Allene's life; she began growing roses in the 1950's. Her garden grew to more than 300 bushes over the years. She loved to share her beautiful roses with others; she gave away 1000's of them for weddings, funerals, birthdays, graduations and to the sick and shut in. She planted and maintained a rose garden at Saluda Nursing Center for 20 years.

She was a life member of the National Garden Club, and she was a member of the Saluda, Newberry, South Carolina, Carolina District and American Rose Societies for over 40 years before she became disabled and inactive in 2013.

She showed roses at local venues and at larger competitions as far as New Orleans, Chicago and Montreal. She won more than 157 sectional award ribbons (the highest award given), 1000's of ribbons and cabinets full of crystal and silver awards through the years.

She took flower show judging classes and became a nationally accredited flower show master judge. She judged roses until 2013.

Allene loved to share her knowledge. She helped others learn about roses either through her presentations on growing roses or just through conversation and being a friend. She was a master rosarian and an outstanding judge in horticulture and design. As proof of that, she received the bronze medal of honor for service to local rose societies and the silver medal of honor for service to the Carolina district of the American Rose Society.
In 2013, she received the honor of her life when close friend, Hybridizer Michael Williams, hybridized a rose and named it after her, "Allene Able".

Allene also was a self-taught cake decorator and made 1000's of cakes for weddings, birthdays and anniversaries. She would also make more than 100 fruit cakes each Christmas to give away to friends and shut-ins.

Allene lived a life of generosity; always sharing her talents and gifts with friends, family and others less fortunate. She grew up a simple, Christian woman and lived her life that way.

Surviving are three sons, Oscar "Rock" Able (Melanie) of Oak Ridge, NC, Barry Able (Adriane), and Ronnie Able (Jill) both of Saluda, a daughter, Sylvia Able of Shallotte, NC, eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and one on the way, four sisters, Maxine Johnson of Lexington, SC, Margaret Lee of Dunwoody, GA, Iris Huggins of Loris, SC, and Gloria Hayes of Myrtle Beach, SC, a brother, Carroll King of Leesville, SC, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Able is preceded in death by two brothers, JD King and Bert King, and a sister, Andrenna Holland.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dory Whittle, Frances Robinson, Carolyn Peterson, and Hazel Hruby.

Funeral Services will be held 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Saluda, SC with Rev. Cameron Levi and Rev. Joe Long officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the family life center.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 102 East Butler Avenue, Saluda, SC 29138 or Meals On Wheels, P.O. Box 997, Greenwood, SC 29648.