Allen Stanley Henry, Jr., 83, of Jacksonville, FL, was born March 2, 1936, in Ruleville, MS in the Mississippi Delta region, the son of Allen Henry Sr., and Annie Burlison Henry. He moved with his family at an early age to Memphis, TN, where he grew up, graduated high school at Whitehaven High and then attended Memphis State University. He then spent almost 50 years in Atlanta, GA, graduating from Georgia State University with an accounting degree, and spending 38 years with Atlanta Gas Light Company where he retired in 1995. In 2005, he made Jacksonville, FL his home. He had been a Certified Individual Tax Preparer (C.I.T.P) for many years and a member of NSTP.
Allen discovered shag dancing in 1990 and went on to serve ShagAtlanta as its treasurer for many years. He then served the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs as its treasurer for 20 years and was also treasurer of the Society of Stranders [SOS] Charitable Foundation before retiring from both offices in 2017. He was named a Shagging Icon in 2010, inducted into the Florida Shaggers Hall of Fame in 2011, the National Boppers Hall of Fame in 2012, and was also a member of the ShagAtlanta Hall of Fame. He became an active member of First Coast Shag Club in 2005, serving on the Executive Board in several capacities, including president in 2012-2013.
Allen was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Avin. He is survived by his wife, Anne Henry; daughter, Debra Henry Day (Michael), Dacula, GA; stepdaughter, Julie Payton and stepson, Bryant East, both of Jacksonville, FL; granddaughters, Jordyn Day of Dacula, GA, Brianne (Chris) Carty, Sydney (Dalton) Moffat, and Gracey East, all of Jacksonville. He is also survived by brothers, Richard Neal Henry, Natchez, MS and Arthur Lee Henry, Emery, TX.
In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to Community Hospice & Palliative Care, https://www.communityhospice.com/donate/
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32223.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18