Eugene Connelly Allen

Eugene Connelly Allen, 84, a retired Farmer from Clarksdale, MS, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Thursday, September 29, 2022.

Funeral Graveside services for all family and friends will be at 2:00 p.m. on October 3, 2022 at Memorial Gardens in Clarksdale, MS with burial in the Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Meredith-Nowell Funeral Home in Clarksdale, MS is handling the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Joyce F. Knowlton Allen of Marvell, AR (Turner Community); son Barry Glenn Allen of Clarksdale, MS and Daughter-in-law Cindy Furniss Allen of Holcomb, MS; his grandchildren William Bradley Gray (Deven), Bethany Layne Prudente (Manuele), Annesley Nicole Neely (Turner), and Serci Breanne Allen and his four great grandchildren Emmie Reese Gray, William Luke Gray, Tatum Allen Neely and Charlie Barrett Neely.

He was preceded in death by his parents Claude Allen and Nadine Matlock Allen Mayo; Step-father, Robert H. Mayo; his in-laws, Robert Oregon Knowlton and Emmie Harriet Knowlton Dickson and son, Steven Wayne Allen.

Mr. Allen was born on January 7, 1938 at Holly Grove, AR to the late Claude B. Allen and Nadine Matlock Allen Mayo. He grew up in Holly Grove, AR and attended Holly Grove High School. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Dewitt, AR, He was known as Gene to his family and friends. After his retirement from Allen Planting Company, he just couldn’t retire. At the age of 73 he got his Real Estate broker’s license and raised cattle while they lived in Bruce, MS. He continued to work with his brother John on the family farm when they moved back to AR. He loved riding on the family farm, raising a big garden each year, caring for his favorite pets and especially enjoyed spending time with his family, his grandchildren and great grands.

He is also survived by his sisters, Janet Mayo Hardin, Laura Grace Greene and Roberta Jane Allen; his brothers, Dr. John Mayo, Bobby Dale Mayo (Joan), William Mayo, Walt Mayo (Liz) and Jim Mayo (Terry); his brother-in-law, James Robert Knowlton (Cathy) his sisters-in-law, Bonnie Gail Knowlton and Joann Adams Holman (Ed) and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family would like to give a special thanks for the excellent care that he received from St. Vincent’s Hospital in Little Rock, AR.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude at: ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105