James Elvin Allen, age 84, of Four Oaks passed away on Saturday, May 4, at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield.  Born in Johnston County on October 17, 1934, he was the son of the late James Owen and Lula Baker Allen. He was preceded in death by two siblings, Brookie Terrell and Lindsey Allen. Mr. Allen served in the US Army National Guard for 8 years.  Over his work career he worked at Woolworth's for 18 years, fourteen of those years as manager.  He managed TG & Y for 14 years and was the manager/partner of Ace Hardware in Selma for 18 years.  He was a member of Bethel Free Will Baptist Church and the Four Oaks American Legion.  Mr. Allen loved fishing, Nascar, classic country music and Weiner Dogs.

The family will receive friends at Parrish Funeral Home in Selma Wednesday night from 6 to 8 pm and at other times at the home of Lois Massengill-Allen, 1281 Thompson Rd., Four Oaks, NC.  Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 9, at 2:00 PM at Bethel Free Will Baptist Church with entombment following in the church cemetery with military honors.

Surviving are his wife, Lois Massengill-Allen; son Jerry Allen and wife Wanda of Smithfield; daughter Kim Saxon and husband Ronnie of Dunn; step-children, Kevin Massengill and wife Tonya of Four Oaks, Beverly Gibson and husband Harold of Four Oaks, Kim Warlick and husband Dickie of Four Oaks, and Tamara Bachelder and husband Max of Four Oaks; sisters Margie Moore of High Point and Gayle Lee of Benson; grandchildren, Ryan West, Taylor Bailey, Zachary Allen and Jessica West; seven step grandchildren and six step-great grandchildren; and special friends, Danny and Carolyn Lee of Princeton and Kathy Childers of Shallotte.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bethel FWB Church, c/o Junior Lassiter, 1073 Faith Church Rd., Four Oaks, NC  27524; the Four Oaks American Legion, 5618 US Hwy 301 S., Four Oaks, NC  27524; or the SECU Hospice House, PO Box 1376, Smithfield, NC  27577.