Charles Harry Allen

Charles (Charlie) Harry Allen was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on September 1, 2025.

Charlie was born in Ellisville, MS in 1927 on October 8th. There were 7 members in the Allen family which included mother, Flora Davis Allen, father, Frank Allen along with brother Frank Jr., sisters Doris, Edna Earl, Minnie Grace and Charlie. Charlie was the youngest of the siblings.

Charlie graduated from high school in 1945 and for the next few years worked as a painter and a truck driver. In February 1952 he joined the U.S. Air Force where he became an aircraft mechanic. After basic training and aircraft mechanic’s school he was stationed at Biggs Air Force Base in El Paso, TX for 3 years working on B-50 bombers. In February 1956 he received an honorable discharge from the Air Force. During this time between 1952 and 1956 he met the love of his life, Evelyn Reed of Laurel, MS and conducted a long-distance courtship.

After his honorable discharge Charlie moved to Montgomery, AL and went to work at Maxwell Air Force Base as a Federal employee and worked there until 1969. While at Maxwell he continued his career as an aircraft mechanic and worked on T-33 and C-47 aircraft. Charlie and Evelyn were married on October 6, 1956, in Laurel, MS at Evelyn’s home. A funny story regarding the wedding: A spur train line actually ran through Evelyn’s backyard not 40 feet from her house. As the marriage ceremony was being performed, a train came down the track and the preacher had to stop the ceremony until the train had passed.

Evelyn joined him in Montgomery, and they soon bought a modest 3 bedroom, 1 bath house in Montgomery. In June of 1958 they welcomed their first child, a son who they named Charles Reed Allen. Four years later they welcomed a daughter, Mildred (Mickie) Evelyn Allen. While in Montgomery they were active members of Asbury United Methodist Church. During his time in Montgomery, Charlie was an avid fisherman.

In 1969 Charlie changed jobs and went to work with Delta Air Lines as an aircraft mechanic. At that point, the family moved to Shreveport, LA for 3 short months and then Delta transferred Charlie to Jackson, MS where Charlie and Evelyn bought a house in Pearl, MS. Charlie worked for Delta the next 22 years retiring in 1991. While working for Delta, he worked on the following aircraft: DC-9, DC-8, MD-80, B-727, B-737 and B-757. Charlie and Evelyn took advantage of Delta’s flying privileges for employees and traveled throughout the US during his tenure with the company. Charlie enjoyed NASCAR racing back in what he calls its heyday of the 70s, 80s and 90s. He also enjoyed riding motorcycles before his age prevented him from riding when he was 85 years old. While his health allowed it, he was an active member of McLaurin Heights Methodist Church in Pearl, MS.

The family would also like to thank Dr. Michael Albert, Peach Tree Assisted Living, Tony Wehunt of Peach Tree, the wonderful staff at Peach Tree and St. Joseph Hospice Ministries for the outstanding care provided to our Dad.

Charlie is survived by 2 children, son Charlie Allen (wife, Annette) of Madison, MS and daughter Mickie Dilley (husband, Lee) of Pearl, MS. Charlie has 2 grandchildren, a granddaughter, Christie Marie Allen who lives in Jackson, MS and a grandson, Allen Dilley (wife, Madeleine) who lives in Olive Branch, MS.

Visitation will be Wednesday, September 3, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon. A graveside service will begin at 11:00 am on Thursday, September 4, 2025, in Ellisville Cemetery in Ellisville, Mississippi.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mr. Allen's honor to McLaurin Heights Methodist Church, 325 Mary Ann Dr., Pearl, MS 39208.