Marion Alton Allen

Marion Alton Allen, affectionately known as “Monkey” to his grandchildren, began his heavenly journey on March 3, 2022 at the age of 86. A native of Anniston, he graduated from Anniston High School in 1953 and attended Auburn University before enlisting in the United States Navy. He completed electricians training in San Diego and Basic at the U.S. Naval Submarine School, New London, CT. Upon graduating, he reported to Norfolk to serve on the USS Cubera, the Balao class submarine which was his assignment until his honorable discharge.

During one fortuitous leave, he met the Scottish beauty who would hold his heart for 65 years. Alton and Maureen Spaulding married at Covenant Presbyterian Church, Peachtree Road, Atlanta on July 6, 1957. The happy couple resided first in Atlanta, then Miami, before returning to Anniston where Alton worked in the family’s Gulf service station business, for Monsanto Inc., and eventually retired from Anniston Ordinance Depot.

An avid outdoorsman, Alton explored the many hills, lakes, backroads and byways of his home state; hunting, fishing, or just driving to see where the road would take him. He was a masterful arrowhead finder and always kept a book nearby. US history, the Civil War, Native American nations, and Allen family genealogy were his favorite topics.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Durward Alton Allen and Marion Estelle Chavers Allen, and is survived by his wife, Maureen, his daughter Lesley Cole of Sewanee, TN, his granddaughter Meagan Cole Remmes (Mike) of Fletcher, NC, and grandson Geoffrey Cole (Kristine) and great-granddaughter Sophia Rose Cole of Tustin, CA.

Visitation will be held at 1:00 PM on Sunday, March 6, at Gray Brown Funeral Home in Anniston. Graveside services will follow at Highland Cemetery.

The family extends its deepest thanks to the nurses and physicians of Huntsville Hospital, Caring for Life Hospice, and the staff of Brookdale Jones Farm. Friends wishing to make donations are asked to consider the Red Cross (for Ukraine Relief), the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, or Auburn University.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.graybrownservice.com for the Allen family.