Pickens, SC – Dr. James Ray Allen, 87, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Wednesday, March 23, 2022. He was born on March 19, 1935 in Ellaville, Georgia to the late Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Franklin Allen. He was married to his devoted wife, Marilyn Scott Allen for 65 years.
He and his wife served as a ministry team touching untold numbers of lives in their 20 churches in the Carolinas and Georgia. He also invested his life in his students as a professor at Berry Academy in Rome, Georgia and Tri-County Technical College in Pendleton, South Carolina. He truly exemplified the greatest commandment, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39). His life was one of loving and serving God and the many people he came in contact with whether it was a church member, a student or a bag boy at the grocery store.
He received his associates degree from Norman Park Junior College, bachelors degree from Lagrange College, masters degree from Furman University, Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Doctorate of Ministry degree from Drew University. He retired after 65 years in ministry and 30 years of teaching, investing his entire life in sharing his love for God and his love for people.
He was a devoted, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather encouraging his family to love Jesus and love each other and always strive to be the best they could be. He is survived by his four children: Melody Allen Lark (Sam) of Pickens, Dr. Merrie Allen Johnson of Garner, North Carolina, Rev. Scott Allen (Martine) of Simpsonville, South Carolina and Rev. Chris Allen of Wake Forest, North Carolina; six grandchildren: Lindsay Lark Jackman (Chris) of Greenville, Ashley Lark Heath of Pickens, Mac Johnson (Grace) of Nashville, Tennessee, Murphy Johnson (Claire) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Emily and Molly Allen; and five great-grandchildren, Malachi, Rosie, Noah, Larkyn and Dax. He is survived by his sisters, Martha Allen Daugherty and Patricia Sorrells Easom. He was predeceased by his parents and three brothers, Lee Allen, Clark Allen and Henry Sorrells.
The family would like to offer sincere gratitude and appreciation to the staff of Manna Healthcare for the love and care they provided during the final year of his life.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Easley First Baptist Church in Easley, South Carolina at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 with visitation preceding the service at 2:00 PM. The graveside service at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to his last pastorate, Prater’s Creek Baptist Church, 621 Praters Creek Road, Pickens, SC 29671 or to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary at sebts.edu/give.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.dillardfunerals.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
