Michael Caraway Allred

Mike was born October 30, 1942 in Mt. Airy, North Carolina, son of Charles and Louise Allred. He graduated from Mt. Airy High School in 1960 where he was an integral member of two consecutive state championship basketball teams.  He went on to Guilford College on a basketball scholarship.  Mike graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and a minor in Education.  He continued his education and ultimately obtained his Doctorate in Educational Administration from UNC-Greensboro in 1996.

Mike began his career with Thomasville City Schools as a Spanish teacher and a basketball coach in 1968.  Here, he spent 35 years as a teacher, coach, and school administrator.  Under his leadership, Thomasville High School was named a “Lighthouse School”, and one of the top ten most improved high schools in North Carolina. 

In Mike’s 42 years in public education, he received countless awards, most notably being appointed Wachovia Principal of the Year on four different occasions and receiving the “Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders” and the “Martin Luther King Community Action” award from the Thomasville NAACP.  

Mike was active at Unity United Methodist Church in Thomasville, teaching Sunday School for over twenty years.  Additionally, Mike was an honorary deacon at Friendship Baptist Church in Thomasville.  Upon arrival in Wilmington, Mike became an active member of Wrightsville United Methodist Church and a dedicated volunteer at Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard in downtown Wilmington, NC. 

Mike’s hobbies included shagging and listening to beach music, exercising, and spending time with his grandchildren.  He had a passion for exercising including weight lifting, Tae Kwon Do, running, and boxing. 

Mike is survived by his wife of 45 years, Linda J. Allred; daughter Cathy Madden and her husband Chris Madden; stepson Bill Palmer; grandchildren Caroline, Luke, and Patrick Madden, and Tyler Palmer; brother David Allred and wife Jenny. 

The funeral service will be held on Friday, May 25, 2:00pm at Wrightsville United Methodist Church.  There will be a reception in the Fellowship Hall followed by the burial at Oleander Memorial Gardens.