DR. RAY MAXWELL ALLEN, SR., died on February 27, 2007, of complications from ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Ray faced his most recent difficulties with the same perseverance, courage and faith that he applied throughout his life.
A native Memphian, Ray was born on December 16, 1922, the third of four sons of the late Harry D. and Louise M. Allen. He graduated from Central High School, Southwestern at Memphis, and Duke Divinity and graduate school. He married in 1948. As Associate Pastor at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, he organized the Wesley Foundation at Memphis State University. He taught at Wofford College and Lambuth College before returning to Southwestern, now Rhodes College, as Dean of Administration and Professor of Religion, and later Dean of Financial Aid and Government Relations.
After retirement from Rhodes, Ray served as Minister of Evangelism at Germantown United Methodist Church and at Trinity United Methodist Church. Throughout his life, Ray was committed to ecumenical work, especially in early efforts to seek civil rights reforms and heal racial divisions in the community. Most recently, he and Julia served as co-coordinators of Churches United in Christ.
Ray was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and loved his extended family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Julia White Wellford. In addition to Julia, he is survived by his brother, Robert Allen of Paola, Kansas, his son and daughter-in-law, Drs. Ray M. and Louise R. Allen of Memphis, his daughters and sons-in-law, Rev. Julie Allen and Bill Berger of St. Louis, Missouri and Katherine Allen and Richard Page of State College, Pennsylvania, and eight grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, March 2nd at 2 p.m. at Idlewild Presbyterian Church, with burial to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on March 1 at Canale Funeral Directors. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Rhodes College, Trinity United Methodist Church, Idlewild Presbyterian Church, or the charity of the donor's choice. Canale Funeral Directors 901-452-6400
Note: Son of Harry Davis Allen 1898 Cordova, Shelby Co., TN -- 1968 and
Louise Gordon Martin 1902 Austin, Tunica Co., MS -- 2000 Memphis, Shelby Co., TN.
A native Memphian, Ray was born on December 16, 1922, the third of four sons of the late Harry D. and Louise M. Allen. He graduated from Central High School, Southwestern at Memphis, and Duke Divinity and graduate school. He married in 1948. As Associate Pastor at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, he organized the Wesley Foundation at Memphis State University. He taught at Wofford College and Lambuth College before returning to Southwestern, now Rhodes College, as Dean of Administration and Professor of Religion, and later Dean of Financial Aid and Government Relations.
After retirement from Rhodes, Ray served as Minister of Evangelism at Germantown United Methodist Church and at Trinity United Methodist Church. Throughout his life, Ray was committed to ecumenical work, especially in early efforts to seek civil rights reforms and heal racial divisions in the community. Most recently, he and Julia served as co-coordinators of Churches United in Christ.
Ray was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and loved his extended family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Julia White Wellford. In addition to Julia, he is survived by his brother, Robert Allen of Paola, Kansas, his son and daughter-in-law, Drs. Ray M. and Louise R. Allen of Memphis, his daughters and sons-in-law, Rev. Julie Allen and Bill Berger of St. Louis, Missouri and Katherine Allen and Richard Page of State College, Pennsylvania, and eight grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, March 2nd at 2 p.m. at Idlewild Presbyterian Church, with burial to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on March 1 at Canale Funeral Directors. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Rhodes College, Trinity United Methodist Church, Idlewild Presbyterian Church, or the charity of the donor's choice. Canale Funeral Directors 901-452-6400
Note: Son of Harry Davis Allen 1898 Cordova, Shelby Co., TN -- 1968 and
Louise Gordon Martin 1902 Austin, Tunica Co., MS -- 2000 Memphis, Shelby Co., TN.
DR. RAY MAXWELL ALLEN, SR., died on February 27, 2007, of complications from ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Ray faced his most recent difficulties with the same perseverance, courage and faith that he applied throughout his life.
A native Memphian, Ray was born on December 16, 1922, the third of four sons of the late Harry D. and Louise M. Allen. He graduated from Central High School, Southwestern at Memphis, and Duke Divinity and graduate school. He married in 1948. As Associate Pastor at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, he organized the Wesley Foundation at Memphis State University. He taught at Wofford College and Lambuth College before returning to Southwestern, now Rhodes College, as Dean of Administration and Professor of Religion, and later Dean of Financial Aid and Government Relations.
After retirement from Rhodes, Ray served as Minister of Evangelism at Germantown United Methodist Church and at Trinity United Methodist Church. Throughout his life, Ray was committed to ecumenical work, especially in early efforts to seek civil rights reforms and heal racial divisions in the community. Most recently, he and Julia served as co-coordinators of Churches United in Christ.
Ray was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and loved his extended family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Julia White Wellford. In addition to Julia, he is survived by his brother, Robert Allen of Paola, Kansas, his son and daughter-in-law, Drs. Ray M. and Louise R. Allen of Memphis, his daughters and sons-in-law, Rev. Julie Allen and Bill Berger of St. Louis, Missouri and Katherine Allen and Richard Page of State College, Pennsylvania, and eight grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, March 2nd at 2 p.m. at Idlewild Presbyterian Church, with burial to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on March 1 at Canale Funeral Directors. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Rhodes College, Trinity United Methodist Church, Idlewild Presbyterian Church, or the charity of the donor's choice. Canale Funeral Directors 901-452-6400
Note: Son of Harry Davis Allen 1898 Cordova, Shelby Co., TN -- 1968 and
Louise Gordon Martin 1902 Austin, Tunica Co., MS -- 2000 Memphis, Shelby Co., TN.
A native Memphian, Ray was born on December 16, 1922, the third of four sons of the late Harry D. and Louise M. Allen. He graduated from Central High School, Southwestern at Memphis, and Duke Divinity and graduate school. He married in 1948. As Associate Pastor at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, he organized the Wesley Foundation at Memphis State University. He taught at Wofford College and Lambuth College before returning to Southwestern, now Rhodes College, as Dean of Administration and Professor of Religion, and later Dean of Financial Aid and Government Relations.
After retirement from Rhodes, Ray served as Minister of Evangelism at Germantown United Methodist Church and at Trinity United Methodist Church. Throughout his life, Ray was committed to ecumenical work, especially in early efforts to seek civil rights reforms and heal racial divisions in the community. Most recently, he and Julia served as co-coordinators of Churches United in Christ.
Ray was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and loved his extended family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Julia White Wellford. In addition to Julia, he is survived by his brother, Robert Allen of Paola, Kansas, his son and daughter-in-law, Drs. Ray M. and Louise R. Allen of Memphis, his daughters and sons-in-law, Rev. Julie Allen and Bill Berger of St. Louis, Missouri and Katherine Allen and Richard Page of State College, Pennsylvania, and eight grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, March 2nd at 2 p.m. at Idlewild Presbyterian Church, with burial to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on March 1 at Canale Funeral Directors. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Rhodes College, Trinity United Methodist Church, Idlewild Presbyterian Church, or the charity of the donor's choice. Canale Funeral Directors 901-452-6400
Note: Son of Harry Davis Allen 1898 Cordova, Shelby Co., TN -- 1968 and
Louise Gordon Martin 1902 Austin, Tunica Co., MS -- 2000 Memphis, Shelby Co., TN.
