RAY H. ALLEN

486

NATCHITOCHES, LA

March 22, 1933-Feb. 23, 2021

A service to honor the life of Ray H. Allen will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27 at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home with Pastor Tim Leach officiating.  Burial will follow at Oak Grove Methodist Cemetery in Natchitoches. The family will receive friends from 5-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26 at the funeral home.

Ray, 87, and a resident of Natchitoches, passed away Feb. 23, 2021. He was born March 22, 1933, to John Lester Allen and Ruby Annie Anders Allen in Robeline.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Willie Mae Allen; a daughter, Michelle Balthrop; sister, Millie Savell; and brothers, Phillip Allen and Jerry Allen.

Ray proudly served his country in the United States Navy.  He enlisted in 1952 and was honorably discharged in 1956.  He began his teaching career in Robeline where he taught welding and automotive repair.  He briefly taught in DeQuincy but ultimately retired from North Caddo High School.  He was so proud to share life skills that significantly impacted the lives of so many students throughout his teaching career.  He was a long-time member at Coldwater Baptist Church and served as a deacon for many years.  He enjoyed fellowship with his church family.  He was the definition of a Louisiana Sportsman, who enjoyed hunting and especially fishing with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Earnestine Neal Foshee Allen; children, Randy Allen and wife Fredlinda, Rodney Allen and wife Kim, Kimberly Hoggard and husband Ronnie, Richard Foshee and Elizabeth Foshee; grandchildren, Jennifer Purcell, Brandon Allen, Amber Hamilton, Samantha Huffman, Dylan Huffman, Bailey Palmer, Chandler Allen, Nicholas Balthrop and Cooper Allen; son-in-law, Chip Balthrop; as well as numerous great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.