The Greatest Generation lost another of its sons with the death of Billups Henry Allen on March 13, 2022. He was born to Addie Mae and Daniel Billups Allen on September 7, 1920, in Jackson, Mississippi. A member of Kappa Sigma fraternity, he graduated from Ole Miss in 1943, was commissioned as a second lieutenant, and married Elizabeth Ledbetter Puller in Starkville, Mississippi. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1976.
After an unsuccessful attempt at flight school—his instructor said he wouldn’t let a bird go up in the same plane— he was assigned to the infantry and ultimately posted to the 29th Division. He was wounded in action in Germany on November 18, 1944. After the war, wife and child in tow, he returned to Ole Miss, living in the real Vet Village of tarpaper barracks and rough plank porches, in the days of Blind Jim and Charley Conerly. He obtained his degree in pharmacy, and settled in Starkville to operate Allen’s Drug Store on the corner on Main Street from 1950 to 1976. Following his divorce, he moved back to Jackson where he re-met and married Sheila Newland McNeese in 1979. He retired as administrator for the Mississippi Surgical Center on North State Street in 1990.
He was predeceased by his wife, Sheila Newland Allen, and his sister, Violet Allen Lackey. He is survived by his son, Billups Shepard Allen; grandson, Billups Shepard Allen, Jr.; half-sister (and full family member) Annette Gordon; nephew, Allen Lackey; niece, Elaine (Laney) Resweber; and grandnieces, Sarah Wolfe and Lisa Williams.
The family would like to thank staff and administration at The Blake, Highland Homes, and Pax Hospice for the kindness and attention provided during his last days and years. We would also like to express our appreciation to the Veteran’s Administration for the services and care that they provided.
A grave side service will be conducted at The Chapel of The Cross in Madison, Mississippi. On Tuesday, March 22, at 2:00 p.m., with a reception following in the church hall.
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