Charles Ray Allen

Charles Ray Allen, 94, of Durant, OK passed away on Friday morning, May 8, 2009 at the nursing center in Durant, OK. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 12, at 2:00 pm, at Brown’s Funeral Service Chapel in Durant, OK. Rev. Bill Ledbetter will officiate Charles Ray Allen was born in Rock Springs, OK on February 3, 1915 to Charles Jackson and Cora Ellen (Ward) Allen. He moved to Durant at the age of 10 (in 1925) and attended Grade School and one year of Jr. High School. He married at an early age to Oletha Elliott in Durant and they had a daughter, Betty Anne, and a son, Bobby Ray. During the World War II era of the early 1940s, Mr. Allen worked as a Telegrapher for the M.K.&T. Railroad, after which he answered the Lord’s call to the ministry. He and his first wife attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX for two years. He then pastured churches in Tushka, Bentley, Bokchito, and Porum, Oklahoma before moving to Colorado where he engaged in mission work until he retired from full-time ministry. He returned to Durant in September, 1979, where he resided until April, 1995. After the death of his first wife, Oleths, Mr. Allen married Glenna Hutchison. He and Glenna moved to Weatherford, Oklahoma where they lived for a short time before returning to Durant again. Then after a short time they moved to the Baptist Village of Madill, Oklahoma; residing there for six years before moving back to Durant in August, 2006, and residing in Reunion Plaza Assisted Living Center until the time of his death. Mr. Allen was an avid fisherman and hunter as well as a devout “Sports Fan”. He also wrote poetry and loved music. He will be greatly missed by all who’s life he has touched throughout his lifetime. He was preceded in death by his parents, C.J. and Cora (Ward) Allen, his first wife, Oletha; his daughter, Betty Eastman; 3 brothers, Claude Allen, Haskell Allen, and Royal Allen; and 3 sisters, Gladys Allen, Jean Moore, and Ruth Watts. He is survived by his wife, Glenna of their home in Durant; his son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Bobbilou Allen of Weatherford, OK; 5 Grandchildren, 13 Great-Grandchildren, and 4 Great-Great-Grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Brian Allen, Bryce Allen, Andy Anderson, Ricky Proffer, Tony Proffer, and David Woolcock. Honorary Pallbearer is his grandson, Joshua Gibson. Music will be rendered by his son, Bob Allen, singing and pianist, Melinda Hodge. Interment will be in the Achille Cemetery in Achille, OK. PDF Printable Version

Charles Ray Allen

February 3, 1915 - May 8, 2009