John Lewis Allen, Sr., age 87, of Burgaw passed peacefully from this earth to his Heavenly home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, July 15, 2009. For the past two years John was a resident on the 2nd Floor Skilled Nursing Unit at Pender Memorial Hospital where he was lovingly and compassionately cared for.

He was born February 24, 1922 in Mooresboro, the son of the late Roy Clyde and Lula Drewery Allen.

Surviving are his devoted wife of 66 years, Faye Couch Allen of the home; son, John L. Allen, Jr. and his wife, Jane of Chinquapin; daughter, Brenda Kaye Allen of Wilmington; grandchildren, Tami Carter and her husband, Bill, Michelle Bartz, Wendy Perry and her husband, Bill, John L. Allen, III and Jerry Lee Allen; seven great grandchildren; brothers, Roy Thomas Allen of Mooresboro and James Harold Allen of Shelby; sisters, Helen Wellmon of Fallston, Julie Owle of Earl, Lucille Wiggins and Maudean Buchanan both of Shelby; and many nieces and nephews. John also leaves behind his beloved Chihuahua, Jackie.

John married Faye, the love of his life, in 1942. Shortly after their marriage John joined the US Army and proudly served his country during WW II. After completing his military duty John attended Gardner Webb University, Clarksville School of Theology in Tennessee and Bible School in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He was called fulltime into the Christian ministry and served Baptist churches in South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, and Virginia for over 50 years. He served several years as chaplain of Duplin General Hospital and after his retirement he continued serving as interim minister for churches in the Wilmington Baptist Association. He was a member of Long Creek Baptist Church.

John will forever be remembered for his steadfast faith, keen sense of humor and his compassion for others.

The family will receive friends Saturday, July 18, 2009 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home in Burgaw.

A graveside funeral service will be at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday at Burgaw Cemetery with The Rev. Wayne Bateman and The Rev. Parthena Skipper officiating. Full military honors will be accorded by American Legion Post No. 10 Honor Guard.

Casketbearers will be David Long, David Bartz, Bill Carter, Mike Cummings, Dwayne Frederick and Bill King.

Condolences may be sent to www.quinnmcgowen.com

Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Burgaw, NC.