Howard Allen, 90, of Lynco, passed away Monday, November 9, 2020, at Bower’s Hospice House in Beckley, WV surrounded by his family. Born July 13, 1930 a son of the late John Arthur and Mary Erma Graham Allen. Mr. Allen, who was often referred to as an “humble and gentle soul”, began working at the age of 15, helping his dad cutting trees. He later worked at a local sawmill and railroad before being employed for 34 years in the coal mines, a profession he loved and often reminisced about. He loved working in his garden and “hanging out” in his garage. He enjoyed most spending time with his family. He also was an avid musician and could play just about any stringed instrument. He played music and sang in a bluegrass group called the Happy Mountain Quartet on the radio in earlier years, and played the guitar for country music star, Mel Street, on WHIS-TV before Street gained stardom.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by two brothers, Wilson Allen and Henry Allen; three sisters, Ruth Cook, Virginia Rollins and Willa Brown; and two sons-in-law, James E. Lupardus and Charles R. “Randy” Cline.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Mary Griffith Allen of Lynco; a daughter, Angela Cline Mollette and her husband Arnold, of Pineville; a son, Marty Allen and his wife, Paula, of Lynco; two sisters, Dolly Dean of Crouch’s Farm and Hilda Taylor of Charleston; a brother, Carl Allen of Sunhill; two grandsons, Alex Allen, and his wife, Tanna, of Lynco, and Adam Toler and his wife Becca of Charleston ; three great-grandchildren, Brayden and Lindsee Allen, both of Lynco, and Alexis Toler of Man; and a host of other loving family and friends.
Funeral service will be held at 12 pm on Monday November 16th in the Chapel of Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV with Rev. Ricky Proffitt officiating. He will be laid to rest in Palm Memorial Gardens at Matheny, WV. Friends may gather with the family from 11 am until time of service on Monday November 16th at the funeral home. The family would like to acknowledge the doctors and nurses who took care of him, with a special thanks to Jeff Prichard and Family Healthcare, and the staff of Bower’s Hospice House.
The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV.