Howard Winford Allen, 91, of Hiwassee Dam, passed away Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in a Murphy care facility.
Howard was a native and lifelong resident of Cherokee County.
He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the United States Army from 1951-53.
Howard began driving a truck for Pure Oil and later became owner of Allen’s General Merchandise and Allen’s Used Cars, which was located across from Hiwassee Dam School. He worked for the Bear Paw Resort in maintenance, which led him to Carolina Water Service, where he worked as the operator until 2013, when he finally retired.
Howard was a member and past Master of Montgomery Masonic Lodge No. 426, serving as treasurer for over 50 years. He was also a very active member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, trustee and Sunday School teacher.
Howard liked animals, especially cats, and he enjoyed gardening.
He was the son of the late Elden Burlin and Ada Bell Davis Allen. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Frances Picklesimer; and three brothers, Willard Allen, and Duel and Luther Burgess.
Surviving are his wife of 67 years as of May 22, Joyce Hamby Allen; a daughter, Sherry Graves of Hiwassee Dam; a son, Jonathan Howard Allen of Hiwassee Dam; a granddaughter, Cassandra Anys and husband Matt of Peachtree; a great-grandson, Asher Anys; a brother, Tim Allen and wife Linda of LaFayette Ga.; and a stepsister, Sarah Johnson of Ringgold, Ga.
Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, May 28, at Mount Carmel Baptist Church with the Revs. Josh Ledford and Farris Reid officiating. The interment will be in the church cemetery with masonic graveside rites conducted by Montgomery Masonic Lodge No. 426, whose members will serve as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends from 2-3:45 p.m. Friday, May 28, at Mount Carmel Baptist Church prior to the services.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Howard Winford Allen to the Gideons International, P.O. Box 164, Murphy, NC 28906 or Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington DC 20090-6011(act.alz.org).
Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, is in charge of all arrangements.
An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhome.com.