Albert Reeves Allen

Albert Reeves Allen, 78, of Waynesville, North Carolina, died at the Charles George Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center on October 10th. He is survived by his “girls” - wife of 58 years Judy Estes Allen, daughters Kristie and Heather Allen, granddaughter Mikayla Allen - and “the other male on the hill” Spartan, a Labrador Retriever; siblings John (Mary Ellen) Allen, Robert (Anna) Allen, Bobby Gene Allen (friend Peggy Melville), Mary (Ron) Shook, Linda Reece and Gary (Connie) Allen; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Albert is preceded in death by son David Allen; parents Reeves and Irene Trantham Allen; siblings Frankie Thompson, Melvin (Joyce) Allen and Sheila (Eric) Rohrer; and father and mother-in-law Ray and Dorothy Reeves Heffner.

He is the fourth child of ten born to Reeves and Irene Allen in Madison County, because “it was easier for the log truck to roll from Spring Creek into Hot Springs than Waynesville”. Albert graduated from Waynesville Township High School with fond memories of being a running back for and captain of the 1964 state championship football team and disciplined for disrupting classes by revving motors and squealing tires as he pulled out of the automotive classroom in the basement of the science building. After high school, he opened a service station on South Main Street, before being drafted by the United States Army and serving our nation as an E-5 in the motor pool at Fort Kobbe (Panama Canal), with Judy by his side.

When Albert returned home, he earned an Associate in Business Administration from Blanton’s Junior College and soon began his 54-year law enforcement career with the Waynesville Police Department, Haywood County Sheriff’s Office and North Carolina State Highway Patrol, serving the communities of Anson, Buncombe, Haywood, Iredell and Jackson counties. He was trained in accident reconstruction and completed NC State University’s Administrative Officers Management Program. Albert’s favorite duty station was Drug Interdiction on I-40 along the North Carolina and Tennessee state line. He retired in 1998 as a Line Sergeant but continued to work part-time for the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office, where he was the oldest sworn Sergeant. Law enforcement became extended family, often reliving endless tales of people, pull-offs and chases, like raising a Patrol hat on a broom handle through an attic access to ensure he and his partners wouldn’t be shot at.

Albert was saved and first baptized in 1974 at Grandview Baptist Church and again in the Jordan River in Israel in 2009. He became a member of the Waynesville Masonic Lodge #259 in 1989 and Master in 1997. Albert has been serving Pleasant Balsam Baptist Church as a deacon since 2006, committed to uplifting the church and outreach in the community where he attended and lived as a child. In addition, he was an active volunteer with Tuscola High School’s chorus, from Kristie’s time there until after Heather graduated.

Albert was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer Spring 2023. The facts were that he would die shortly after an aborted surgery that summer, but that was not God’s will and became part of his testimony and witness. We thank everyone who prayed for him. We are grateful also to the staff at the VA (and Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute) for their ongoing investment from the beginning on 5 West to the end in in-patient Hospice and, in between, Oncology, who nourished our bodies and spirits so well for so long. Albert fought hard to stay with us. While he wasn’t able to complete treatment and ring the victory bell, we have peace that he is well now.

Signs of pancreatic cancer vary and often do not occur until the disease is advanced. Albert’s initial symptoms included changes in blood sugar, abdominal and back pain and digestive problems; others may be fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss and jaundice. It can only be diagnosed through imaging. If any symptom persists, talk with a medical provider sooner than later. We don’t know when our last normal day will be, the last time leaving home or last real conversation, until they have happened.

“Saying ‘I love you’ is one thing. Living ‘I love you’ is a whole other story.” If you were a friend (and Albert had many), you were “dear” and would be greeted with a smile and handshake or hug. Visitation will be on Monday, October 20th, at Garrett Funeral Home from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The funeral will be Tuesday, October 21st, at Hazelwood Baptist Church (to accommodate those who wish to attend) at 1:00 p.m., with burial following at our family cemetery in Bryson City. He loved gospel music and preachin’, so that is how we will celebrate his life. The service will include musicians Hill Country Band, The Believers Four and Heather Hollingsworth; preachers Davis Hooper (Grandview Baptist Church 1993-95), Greg Cullen (Pleasant Balsam Baptist Church 2015-16) and Allen Scroggs (“adopted son”); and pallbearers from the NC State Highway Patrol: current Trooper Daniel Blagg and retirees Master Trooper Steve Allen, Lieutenant Greg Christopher, First Sergeant Terry Frank, Captain Mike Overcash, Captain Steve Robinson, Captain Terry Rogers and Master Trooper Harold Walsh. He wanted to honor all with whom he served. Thank you to the NC State Highway Patrol’s Troop G Honor Guard and Haywood County Sheriff’s Office for participating in these services!

Whether you sign the register at a service or online, we request that you include ONE WORD that comes to mind to describe Albert. He requested that memorials be made to Shriners Hospital for Children in Greenville and Haywood West Gideon Camp:

Shriners Children’s Greenville, Office of Philanthropy, 950 West Faris Rd., Greenville, SC 29605, 1-864-823-6709

Gideons International, ℅ Haywood West Gideon Camp, PO Box 634, Waynesville, NC 28786, Cards available at Garrett Funeral Home

“Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21).