John “Eddie” Allen, age 70, of Emporia, lost his battle with lung cancer on Thursday, July 14, 2016. He was the son of the late Frank Richard and Lucy Collins Allen. Eddie, born July 13, 1946, was the youngest of ten children; Alice Moore (deceased); Lois Taylor (deceased); Frank Allen Jr. (deceased); Margaret Watson; Jeannette McArdle; Eleanor Stone (deceased); Joyce Major; Peggy Myrick (deceased); and Martha Harris.
Eddie was a graduate of Greensville County High School and began his career with the telephone company in the early 1960s. He then decided to pursue a career in construction with Newsome Brothers, Inc. In 1995, he and his wife, Brenda, founded Allen & Allen Contractors, Inc. and operated it until recently when his health began to fail.
Eddie was a member of the Virginia National Guard from 1965 to 1971, a longtime member of the Gravel Pit Hunt Club, and a member of the MeherrinBassmasters.
He is survived by his loving wife, Brenda, of 50 years; their son, Brian and his wife, Cheryl; their daughter, Mary Beth Allen Cobb and her husband, Gary; three grandchildren, Sheree Mitchell Wood, Nicole Allen, and Garrett Cobb; and a great-grandson, Bradley Wood.
Some of Eddie’s happiest moments were working, hunting, and fishing. In recent years, he especially enjoyed sharing his sportsman skills with his grandson, Garrett.
Eddie will be remembered for his love of his wife and family; his dry sense of humor, and how he loved to pick on people he liked.
A memorial service will be held at Calvary Baptist Church, Emporia, Virginia on Sunday, July 17, 2016 at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the American Cancer Society, 4416 Expressway Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452.
