Allen was married to Jerry Reed from 1962 to 1966. He was married to Joe Ann Keene from 1967 until her death in 2022. Allen was a 1956 graduate of Louisville High School. He went into the United States Army upon graduation. He completed his basic training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, in 1956 and a special duty course in Infantry Radio in Fort Benning, Georgia in 1959.
He was a Ham radio operator. After the army, Allen worked for the Coca-Cola Company delivering drinks and painting signs all over Winston County. He worked at Georgia Pacific and for Henry Suber doing television repairs. Then in Meridian he worked at Al Stien Portrait Studio. He hired on as an electrician at Delco Remy in Meridian at their opening in 1976 and worked there until their closing in 1996. He then transferred to General Motors Saginaw Steering Gear Plant in Decatur, Alabama, where he retired.
Allen learned photography from his parents. He learned electronics and electrical skills in the Army. Allen was saved at the First Methodist Church of Louisville at the age of 18. He loved and prayed for his children and grandchildren. He loved animals, especially his cats. He was a jack-of-all-trades and had many life-long friendships.
He is survived by his sister: Laura (Roger) Griffith, sister-in-law: Rubye (Wayne) Clark, children: Linda Kay (Kenya) Duckworth, Kathy Lynn Ward, Karen Jean Roberts, James Allen (Emily) Butters, Rubye Joy (Dennis) Dodson, grandchildren: Kaylin Nicole Duckworth, Kelsey Noel Duckworth, William David Byrge, Woodrow Charles Byrge Jr., Mikel Wayne Byrge, Ruby Ann Dodson, Patrick Allen Dodson, great grandchild: Sincere Duckworth. Predeceased by his parents, his sister: Susan Butters Hale, his brother: David Lester Butters, his grandson: Kristopher Nigel Duckworth, & nephews: Kevin Clark and Gary Butters.
Funeral services for Allen will be 3 p.m. Sunday, August 23, 2026, in the Massey Funeral Home Chapel in Louisville, with Bro. Roger Griffith and Bro. John Sweeney officiating. Visitation will be the day of the service from 1 p.m. until service time at Massey Funeral Home. Interment will immediately follow the service in Memorial Cemetery in Louisville.
Allen learned photography from his parents. He learned electronics and electrical skills in the Army. Allen was saved at the First Methodist Church of Louisville at the age of 18. He loved and prayed for his children and grandchildren. He loved animals, especially his cats. He was a jack-of-all-trades and had many life-long friendships.
He is survived by his sister: Laura (Roger) Griffith, sister-in-law: Rubye (Wayne) Clark, children: Linda Kay (Kenya) Duckworth, Kathy Lynn Ward, Karen Jean Roberts, James Allen (Emily) Butters, Rubye Joy (Dennis) Dodson, grandchildren: Kaylin Nicole Duckworth, Kelsey Noel Duckworth, William David Byrge, Woodrow Charles Byrge Jr., Mikel Wayne Byrge, Ruby Ann Dodson, Patrick Allen Dodson, great grandchild: Sincere Duckworth. Predeceased by his parents, his sister: Susan Butters Hale, his brother: David Lester Butters, his grandson: Kristopher Nigel Duckworth, & nephews: Kevin Clark and Gary Butters.
Funeral services for Allen will be 3 p.m. Sunday, August 23, 2026, in the Massey Funeral Home Chapel in Louisville, with Bro. Roger Griffith and Bro. John Sweeney officiating. Visitation will be the day of the service from 1 p.m. until service time at Massey Funeral Home. Interment will immediately follow the service in Memorial Cemetery in Louisville.
