Ed Allen, 82, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, March 15, 2015, after a difficult struggle with dementia. Born in Maryville, TN, Mr. Allen graduated from Maryville High School and went on to graduate from the University of Tennessee with an engineering degree. He met and married his sweetheart, Gloria Ardelle Duke in 1954, and after receiving his Master’s degree in engineering, they moved to Fort Worth, TX to begin a new life together. Mrs. Allen worked at a church there while Mr. Allen was employed by General Dynamics. They moved to Huntsville Alabama in 1961 and Mr. Allen went to work for Micromedic Systems. They always wanted children and were overjoyed to adopt two: Kimberlee Ann Allen and John Edwin Allen.
During their 57 years of marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Allen were devoted to their Church, First Baptist of Huntsville, where Mr. Allen was a deacon. In 2010, Mrs. Allen was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and Mr. Allen lovingly cared for her during the long and painful struggle until her death in 2012.
Survivors include son, John Allen and wife, Beth Ann, of Madison; daughter, Kimberlee Johnson and husband, Tim, of Cullman; grandchildren, Elizabeth Ann Allen, Jonathan Ezell, Ryan Johnson and Jordon Johnson; brothers, Lynn Allen and wife, Jo, of Maryville, TN and Don Allen and wife, Sadie, of Decatur; sister, Mary Hollingshead and husband, Bob, of Marietta, GA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. Allen was a faithful follower of Christ, a loving husband and father, and an inspiring Christian who leaves a devastating void.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church Chapel with the Rev. Mark Seanor officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
