The Reverend Dolphus Jerome Allen Jr., 83, of Black Mountain, North Carolina departed peacefully from his earthly home to his heavenly home on March 4th, 2014 at the Charles George Medical Center in Asheville, North Carolina from Myeleofibrosis resulting in acute leukemia surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 21, 1930 to Doluphus J. Allen Sr. & Myrtle White Allen who preceded him in death along with and infant sister, Dorothy, and his brother Robert A. Allen. Reverend Allen was a graduate of Davidson College, Davidson NC and Union Theological Seminary (Now Union-PSCE), Richmond, VA. His thirst for knowledge led him to pursue graduate studies at Pepperdine University, California Family Institute, George Washington University, Princeton University and St. Elizabeths Hospital.
During the Vietnam conflict he entered the US Army receiving his training as a Chaplain in Brooklyn, NY. He served hospitals in Fort Benning, GA and Fort Lee VA before being called to serve his country in the highlands of Vietnam. He received an honorable discharge as a Captain. Reverend Allen served many churches in NC and FL with his longest pastorate at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Fort Myers, FL. Upon his retirement he moved to Black Mountain, NC and continued his ministry as a volunteer Chaplain at the NC Veterans Home in Black Mountain.
Dolph never met a stranger, he was truly a servant to all people. He loved music, dancing, tennis, the beach and especially his many journeys to the Holy Land where he led many people on their faith journey. He enjoyed engaging people in conversation. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. Dolph was nonjudgmental, open-minded, non-conformist, and caring having helped many people in their time of need with his generosity. He held a great love for his family and his fellow man…he truly will be missed.
Surviving him are his sons, John Allen& his fiance Dana Taylor of Charlotte; Todd Allen & his wife Susan of Zebulon, NC and his daughter Susan Donnelly & her husband Tom of Black Mountain, NC. He was a loving “PawPaw” to his grandchildren Kevin Donnelly & his wife Nicole; Janine Richards & her husband Rob of Raleigh; Jared Allen, Fort Collins, CO; Jacob Allen, Urbana-Champaign, IL; Connor, Hannah, Shane & Chayse Allen of Zebulon, NC; Luke Donnelly of Black Mountain, NC and Sawyer his precious great granddaughter; his two sisters Carolyn Heathand her husband William of Oviedo, FL and Weenonah Turner and her husband Frank of Kinston, NC. Also surviving Dolph is his former wife Hazel who was his caregiver during his three years of declining health.
A celebration of Dolph’s incredible life will be held at the Western Carolina Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain N.C. with Chaplain Jeremiah Richards of Charles George Medical Center and John W. Sheppard, Fort Myers, FL retired attorney and great friend.
Memorial donations can be made to: Charles George Medical Center ATTN: Hospice Unit, 1100 Tunnel Road Asheville, NC 28805. Condolences can be sent to 47 Laurel Lane Black Mountain, NC 28711.