Jimmy Lee Allen

Jimmy Lee Allen, 81, of Old Fort, passed away Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at Mission Hospital in Asheville.

A native of Buncombe County, he was born May 12, 1942 to the late William Carson Allen and Altha Berlyn McPeters Allen. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Edith Morris Allen; granddaughter, Ansley Grace Carpenter; and a sister, Tamara Diane Allen.

Jimmy loved his family wholeheartedly. He was a faithful husband to his wife who was his sweetheart of 56 years. They were constant companions. Jimmy rarely had a conversation without mentioning his grandchildren. They were the light of his life, and he never missed a chance to support them, especially with athletics. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and cooking. He never turned down a good steak! It did his heart good to prepare large meals for family and friends.

Jimmy spent his whole career at Kearfott Guidance and Navigation where he was a supervisor in the machine shop. He was a member of Cherry Springs Baptist Church. Jimmy was a wonderful singer, and he enjoyed sharing his talents to the glory of God in church choirs and a quartet over the years. He had the ability to make people feel like family, and he was a father figure to many. He will also be remembered for his light-hearted sense of humor.

He is survived by three children, Angela Allen-Helms (Scott), Dr. Anthony Wayne Allen (Stacy), and Andrea Allen Carpenter (Wes); seventeen grandchildren, Tanner Allen, Cade Helms, Mae-Li Helms, Harper Helms, Haze Helms, Xander Helms, Jett Helms, Lucy Helms, Ruby Helms, Bethany Allen, Evan Allen (Samantha), Leighton Allen, Anneliese Allen, Brinley Allen, Aidan Carpenter, Kaeler Carpenter, and Nevin Carpenter; one great grandchild, Juniper Elaine Allen; and three sisters, Linda Allen Bradford, Barbara Allen (Joel), and Cathy Allen McMeans (Mark).

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at Cherry Springs Baptist Church with Pastor Marty Conner, Dr. Anthony Allen, and Mr. Wes Carpenter officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. Burial will follow the service in the church cemetery.