Birth Date: 04/26/1927
Deceased Date: 03/31/2018
Rudolph Faircloth Allen, born April 26, 1927 to the late Robert Gideon Allen and Cornelia Batten Allen, died in his home early Saturday morning, March 31 surrounded by family. Allen was a faithful and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, who enjoyed his family and friends and shared with them his time, support, and great sense of humor.
A native of Johnston County, Allen attended area schools and graduated from Clayton High School after a hiatus where he served in the U.S. Navy as a radio bomber from 1944 to 1946. He was a Staff Sergeant Loadmaster in the U.S. Air Force Reserves for many years and was called to active duty again during the Cuban Missile Crisis under President John F. Kennedy.
Following his active service, Allen pursued a career with the United States Postal Service. He served first as a local carrier and then as a rural letter carrier. Additionally, he was active in Planned Development and later worked several years on a part-time basis with Commercial Couriers before retiring in 1984.
In addition to his professional contributions, Allen lived a life marked by service to his beloved community. He was an active member of Clayton’s First Baptist Church where he served in numerous capacities through the years, including R.A. leader, trustee, chairman of Building and Grounds, and faithful “worker” for any miscellaneous church need. He was a member and secretary of the Bill O’Neal Sunday School Class and enjoyed cooking fish for get-togethers as long as his health allowed.
Allen served as mayor of Clayton from 1971-1975. Prior to that he served as a Town Commissioner two terms. As mayor he was instrumental in bringing staggered terms to the Board and led the Town to approve the Manager-Council form of government. It was during his tenure that Cutter Laboratories, the forerunner of the current Griffolds, came to Clayton. He also was a founding member of the Brothers of the Bush, a group that originated during the town’s bicentennial in 1969, and continued to be an active participant, sharing stories and cooking for his fellow brothers as he was able. And for 27 years, Allen represented Johnston County on the Eastern Carolina Regional Housing Authority, serving both as chairman and vice-chairmen.
Active in all phases of veteran’s affairs since 1951, Allen was past Commander of Leonard Moore American Legion Post # 71. During this time he held many offices on the local, state, and national levels, including past District Commander, and past Division Three Vice-Commander, and was a member of the Johnston County 40 & 8 Voiture #1517. In 1988, Post 71 honored him with a lifetime membership. He was named Legionnaire of the Year in 2000. He was the recipient of a special 50-year membership award from the National American Legion where he had served on the National Americanism Committee and the Law and Order Committees. He was instrumental in securing the property gift from Legionnaire Hume Creech and served on the building committee when the Post moved to its current home. He served as Adjutant for many years and voluntarily served as rental custodian. In 2010 the Post presented The Legionnaire Perpeutuum Award to him in recognition for his continued service, and in 2015, the Leonard Moore American Legion honored him by naming the meeting hall The Rudolph Allen Hall.
He loved his family dearly and spent much of his time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, supporting them in all of their activities from t-ball, Little League, tennis and college softball, to school plays, awards banquets, and piano, violin, and dance recitals. Allen also enjoyed traveling, and as an avid fisherman and boater, he especially enjoyed time on the Pamlico River.
Surviving is his “sweetheart” Belle, wife of 67 years, and daughter Gwendolyn A. Canady and husband, Steve and son, Rudolph F. Allen, Jr.; grandchildren James Allen Canady, wife Elizabeth, of Morehead; Stephanie Canady Parker, husband, Jake, of Clayton; and Alexandria Allen of New Bern; five great-grandchildren: Reese Allen, Sadie Cora, and Eliza James Canady of Morehead, and Belle Frances and Annie James Parker of Clayton. One brother, Roy, wife Helen, of Greensboro, and a number of nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by three brothers, Thel, Junius, and Joe Allen; two sisters, Trudy Jordan and Louise Eason; and daughter-in-law Terri Allen.
A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of Clayton NC on Saturday, April 7 at 2:00 pm, with Dr. Mark White officiating. Visitation will follow the service in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are suggested to the First Baptist Church Organ Fund or to the American Legion Leonard Moore Post # 71. Online condolences may be made to the Allen family at www.mclaurinatpinecrest.com. Arrangements are with McLaurin Funeral Home, Clayton.
