A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 11:30 am at The Church of the Holy Family, with Father Frank Patterson and Father Ben Dallas officiating. Interment will follow at Parkhill Cemetery. The rosary will be Friday evening at 6:00 pm in the chapel at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary with visitation afterwards.
Mr. Allen was born on January 28, 1922 in Columbus, Georgia to the late John Tilton Allen and Minnie Cecelia Giglio. He attended Jordan High School and was in the first graduating class in the new school building in 1938. Upon graduation he went to work for City Mills in Columbus as a freight and billing clerk.
In 1943, he entered the Army to serve in World War II where he served in MacArthur’s Headquarters in the Philippines. Upon returning from the war in 1946, he continued working at City Mills and attending Truman-Smith Business College. In 1956 Mr. Allen began a 33 year career with the Jordan Company of Columbus where he served in many capacities including Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer; General Manager, Green Island Country Club and Real Estate Broker.
Mr. Allen served his community in many capacities including Chairman, Pacelli High School Board, Secretary-Treasurer St. Anne’s School Board, and past Chairman Holy Family Catholic Church Parish Council. He was a member of Green Island Country Club and served as past president of the Mr. and Mrs. Club and the Columbus Cruising Club. In his later years, he was an avid line dancer and enjoyed many classes around the city.
Mr. Allen was recently honored at his 100th birthday celebration with a proclamation from Mayor Skip Henderson; a Quilt of Valor presented by Steve Scott and a National Infantry Museum honor, the Order of St. Maurice Medal, presented by Lt Col. (ret) Michael Denehy.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Betty Sue Thompson Allen and brothers John Tilton Allen, Jr., Julius Marvin Allen, and Norman Divino Allen and sisters, Bessie Allen Parker and Frances Allen Jackson Sams, and great grandson Brick Michael Campbell.
He is survived by two daughters, Lynne Allen Tate and Janet Leigh Van Zant of Forest City, IA ; three grandchildren, Lindsey Rae Campbell of Chattanooga, TN, Martha Grayson Moss (Wade) of Nashville, TN and Allen Michael Tate (Ashley); four great-grandchildren, Beau Michael Campbell, Allen Lee Tate, Anthony Joseph Tate and Margaret Thompson Moss.
The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the caring staff and friends at Legacy Reserve at Olde Towne.
Donations may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church, 329 12th Street, Columbus, GA 31901 or to the charity of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Allen family.
