Gene Allen, age 96, of Charlotte, NC, died peacefully on September 26, 2014, at Clear Creek Nursing and Rehab Center in Mint Hill, NC. He was born in Mecklenburg County on December 25, 1917, the son of Wilburn Russell Allen and Lillian Viola Davis Allen.
Gene attended Oakhurst High School in Charlotte. He married Dora Rachel Black of Midland, NC on December 4, 1938. He and Rachel were founding and former members of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte. He assisted in building the first sanctuary in which is now the Chapel.
Mr. Allen was a successful businessman, visionary and entrepreneur. Raised on a cotton farm in southeast Charlotte, his first business was handling the family finances carrying his Dad’s wallet. He ventured into numerous businesses: growing vegetables and raising chickens and eggs to sell at the downtown market, postman, establishing Allen’s Candy Co., and becoming a land development and home builder. Designing and building were his passions which he used to build Darby Terrace Apartments and Darby Terrace Shopping Center in the early 60’s.
Gene retired to Florida, living there for 30 years before returning to his Charlotte home place for his final three years. He stayed active in his business even while “retired” and never lost his passion for keeping all his properties in perfect condition. Gene was an avid fisherman and loved living near the water. Gene loved for the family to spend their vacations with him in Florida.
Gene is survived by four daughters, Becky Jenkins and Jane Allen of Charlotte, Judy Hall and husband, Wayne, of Shelby, and Peggy Allen and her life-mate, Richard Cousins, of Charlotte; his sister, Virginia Tripp and husband, George; four grandchildren, Misti Humphries (Dwayne), Tyler Hall (Nikki), Marlon Jenkins (Nicole) and Russell Frazer (Jennifer); and four great grandchildren, Porter and Piper Hall, Josie Humphries, and Clara Frazer.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Rachel; a beautiful daughter, Ann Frazer; two sisters, Dorothy Ballard and Minnie Belle Sasser; and two brothers, W. R. “Dub” and William Mason Allen.
A “Celebration of Life” service will be held Tuesday, September 30, at Noon in the Worship Center at Hickory Grove Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC, with the Rev. Henry Ward officiating. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memory Gardens Mausoleum. The family will receive friends from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. prior to the service at the church.
Memorial donations may be sent to Hickory Grove Baptist Church, 6050 Hickory Grove Road, Charlotte, NC 28215, or New Hope Baptist Church, 7841 Idlewild Road, Charlotte, NC 28212.
Arrangements under the direction of McEwen Funeral Service - Mint Hill Chapel, Mint Hill, NC.
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