Keith I. Allen, Jr.

Amory - Keith I. Allen, Jr., passed away on Saturday, December 10, 2016, at his residence. Born on May 6, 1924, in Amory, he was a son of the late Keith I. Allen, Sr., and Alta Lois Overstreet Allen.

After graduating from Amory High School in 1941, Keith attended Mississippi State University for two years. Leaving school for World War II, he honorably served from March 1943 – 1945. He was an Army Air Corps 2nd Lieutenant Single Engine Basic Flight Instructor and a Fighter Pilot trainee in P-40 and P-51 aircraft for the invasion of Japan. Upon returning home, Keith attended Georgia Tech Institute of Technology from 1946 - 1949, graduating with a degree in Textile Manufacturing. On June 18, 1950, he married the love of his life, Velda Maureen Weatherly. They were blessed with two sons.

Keith was employed for 30 years as Manager of Industrial Engineering at Greenville Mill Axminister Carpet Plant, Mohasco Corporation, Greenville, MS. He was a Senior Member of The American Institute of Industrial Engineers and a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Mississippi.

After retiring, he and his wife, Maureen, served as voluntary missionaries with the Baptist International Service Corps in Niger Republic, West Africa, from August 1987 – July 1988. Keith also served the Baptist Cooperative Services International at Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong Province, China, from August 1989 – June 1990. In the Summer of 1991 – 1992, he served in Houston, TX, with Inner City Missions.

Keith received salvation through Jesus early in his life, securing his eternity in heaven. A member of First Baptist Church, he served as a Deacon and an Adult Sunday school teacher for 12 years. Keith was passionate about evangelism, sharing the Gospel with people, and teaching English as a second language. For 10 years, he served the Home Mission Board as Literacy Missions Associate Certified Trainer of Teachers, and Mission Service Corps Volunteers in Missions Consultant in a six-county area in Mississippi. Throughout his life, he enjoyed the friendship of his Sunday school class members and his American Legion friends. Keith’s life was guided by his relationship with Jesus, family and serving in church.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Maureen W. Allen, Amory; sons, Dr. Robert K. Allen (Ann), Decatur, AL, and Dr. Thomas D. Allen (Brenda), Gulf Breeze, FL; brother, Samuel E. Allen (Pat), Hiram, GA; grandchildren, Brett C. Allen, Zach Allen, Meagan Allen, Josh Britt, Timothy Britt, Paula Little; 8 great-grandchildren; and 3 nieces.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-mother, Lourie Allen.

His Funeral Service will be at 11 AM, Tuesday, December 13 at First Baptist Church, Amory, with Dr. Allen Simpson and Bro. Jimmy McFatter officiating. Burial will follow in Masonic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jerry Reese, Larry Knox, Tommy Parish, Danny Coleman, Dewayne Ford and David Hodo. The Men’s Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Visitation will be from 5 – 7 PM, Monday at E. E. Pickle Funeral Home, Amory. Mr. Allen will lie-in-state at the church on Tuesday from 10 AM until the service hour.

Memorials may be given to Mission Offerings, c/o First Baptist Church, PO Box 540, Amory, MS 38821.

Memories and condolences may be shared with his family at EEPickleFuneralHome.com.