Rev. Carl Edward “Jack” Allen – a 90-year-old native of Mobile and resident of Fairhope, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Carl was born April 10, 1933 in Mobile, to Bennie and Laura Allen, the fifth of ten children. He was saved in 1950, felt the call of God to the ministry, and began preaching after enrolling at Lee University in September of 1954.
Carl and his wife, Jewel, met while studying at Lee and were married in April, 1957 in Ferndale, MI surrounded by family and friends. They became partners in ministry and began pastoring in 1957 in Trenton, MI. They also pastored in Grand Rapids, Saginaw, and finally in Midland, MI in 1962 where they pastored for 18 years. In Midland, Carl was President of the Clergy Association as well as serving on the State Council, Youth and Evangelism Boards, and was appointed to the General Editorial and Publications Boards in Cleveland, TN.
Carl was appointed State Administrative Bishop of New Jersey from 1980-1984, sacrificially relocating his family from their home in Michigan. God honored their willingness to serve and Carl was appointed State Administrative Bishop of Virginia from 1984-1988. They moved to Plant City, Florida where he Pastored from 1988-1992. Carl was later appointed State Administrative Bishop of Mississippi from 1992-1996. In 1996, God brought their ministry full circle as Carl was appointed State Administrative Bishop of Michigan, where they served until retirement in 2004. During his administrative ministry, Carl served as Chairman of the General Editorial and Publications Board, on the School of Theology Board, and on the Board of the Smoky Mountain Home for Children.
When not pastoring, Carl loved golfing, fishing, and riding on his John Deere.
Carl is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Jewel Allen; children, Suzanne Jaketic (Ronald), Steven Allen (Vera), and Scott Allen (Sharon); grandchildren, Jeffrey Jaketic (Catrina), James Jaketic, Carl Allen (Jenna), Robin Madden (Chad), Megan Nunez (Edison), Andrew Allen, Allison Gasko, and Lauren Allen; siblings, Charles “Bobby” Allen, Ruth Ratliff, Jerry Allen (Lou), Esther Rutz, and Darrell Allen (Karen); nine great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at Gracepointe Mobile on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at 1 p.m. (CST) and live streamed through the church website (gracepointemobile.church). The family will receive friends at the church from 11 a.m. until the service hour. Interment will be in Allentown Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either Gracepointe Mobile or Foley Church of God. Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com.
