Heaven celebrated the homecoming of Douglas M. Allen on March 18, 2021, as he peacefully left this earth loved on by his wife, Anita (Carnathan) Allen, and two daughters, Leslie Anne Allen and Leigh Allen Howland, at his side.
Doug was born on November 26, 1942, at his family's home in Taylors Crossroads, Alabama. He was one of ten children born to Arthur Douglas and Lois (Taylor) Allen. Raised in nearby Roanoke, he graduated from Handley High School in 1961, where he played on the basketball team and was the quarterback of the football team. He graduated with his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology from the University of Alabama in 1965, and the same year, he married his college sweetheart, Anita. At the University of Alabama, Doug was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity. He then earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1968 and, thereafter, enlisted in the U.S. Army and became a Captain. He was stationed at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina until he was honorably discharged in 1971.
Returning to Birmingham, Doug and Anita raised their daughters in Hoover. Doug had a successful dental practice in Alabaster for almost 25 years and was an active member of the Alabama Dental Association. After leaving his dental practice, he worked as an instructor at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, becoming the Director of the Dental Hygiene and Dental Assistant Programs until retiring (again) in 2009. For as much as he loved his patients in his dental practice, his time at Wallace State was the highlight of his career. He adored his students, and that feeling was mutual. He won numerous teaching awards, many chosen by his students.
Doug was a member of Shades Mountain Baptist Church for many years and more recently attended Riverchase Methodist Church. More important to him than sitting in a church pew on Sunday mornings, Doug believed in living every day as an example of the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. He did not try to impose his personal religious beliefs on others. Instead, he lived his life, treating everyone as having worth and treating people the way he wanted to be treated. He cared for all of God's creatures, whether it was plants, animals, or people. Most especially, he cared deeply for the "least of these," who needed care most.
Doug is survived by his wife of nearly 56 years Anita (Carnathan) Allen of Hoover; daughters Leslie Allen (spouse Elizabeth Richardson) of Homewood and Leigh Allen Howland of Helena; grandchildren Morgan Taylor Howland, Sutton Douglas Howland, and Carnathan ("Nate") Michael Allen-Richardson; sisters Margie (Allen) Halsey (husband Robert - deceased) of Lafayette, Edith (Allen) Harrington (husband Gary) of Hoover, Jennifer Allen of Midland, GA, and Patsy (Allen) Irvin (husband Ronnie) of Roanoke; and twenty seven (27) nieces and nephews (and many other relatives as well). He was preceded in death by his Parents, Arthur Douglas and Lois (Taylor) Allen; brother Max Allen (wife Linda) of Scottsdale, AZ; and sisters Lucy (Allen) Davenport (husband Ralph - deceased) of Mobile; Braxie (Allen) Jacobs of Roanoke; Laura (Allen) Yarbrough (husband Jimmy) of LaGrange, GA, Peggy (Allen) Hudson (husband Dwayne - deceased) of LaGrange, GA.
Doug loved his family with unconditional, boundless love. He was strong but gentle, quiet, thoughtful, compassionate, kind, hilariously funny, generous beyond his means, and, especially as he got older, quite stubborn. He was beloved as PawPaw, and his three grandchildren were truly the lights of his life. He was everything to his family, and he will be dearly missed.
There will be a visitation on Tuesday, April 27th from 10-11 am at John Ridout’s Elmwood Chapel (800 Dennison Ave SW, Birmingham, AL 35211), followed by a graveside service at Elmwood Cemetery officiated by Doug's nephew, Dr. Todd Harrington, Lead Pastor of Haven Field Community Church. Doug will be buried with his beloved in-laws, James Harlan and Esta Lee (Barnett) Carnathan, whom he loved like his own parents (and who loved him like a son). In lieu of flowers, donations may be offered to Haven Field Community Church at https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/138187 or to the charity of your choice in Doug's memory.
