James Washington Allen, 89, passed away June 13, 2024, in his home, in Sparta.
He was born in a two-room cabin, in Jackson County, on Feb. 14, 1935, to Zenith and Sarah “Bessie” Allen.
On Dec. 12, 1953, James married the love of his life, Ella Mai Pigg, also of Jackson County. They were the parents of two daughters,
Barbara Diane Kirby and Brenda Darlene Fields.
James was called into ministry, in 1959, and served the Lord faithfully.
He was a minister in the Brethren in Christ Church and in the Christian Baptist Association. He pastored over 40 years in locations of Dayton, Ohio; Smithville, Tennessee; and Sparta, Tennessee. After retirement, he continued his ministry by gifting books to others so that they might come to know the Lord.
James enjoyed woodworking, quilting, gardening, reading, and word search puzzles.
James was predeceased by his daughter, Barbara “Diane” Kirby; sons-in-law, Tim Fields, Clifford “Gene” Kirby; his parents Zenith and Sarah “Bessie” Allen, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Willie and Ova Pigg; his brothers, Winford Allen, Norman Allen; and his sister, Mattie Rush.
Survivors include one daughter, Brenda Fields; three granddaughters, Melissa Hash, of Sparta, Michelle Mullican and husband Tim, of Sparta, Rachael Smith and husband Barry, of Oak Ridge; two grandsons, Matt Fields, of Garden City, Kansas, Josh Fields and wife Lindsey, of Jacksonville, Florida; six great-grandchildren, Hannah Howard, Leah, Sarah, and Molly Mullican, Liam and Eli Fields; and four sisters, Anna Lee and husband Clayton, Mildred Harness, Mary Fields, and Velma Allen.
Funeral service was 11 a.m., June 17, 2024, at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper, Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home, with burial in Oak Lawn Cemetery, in Sparta. Kerry Higgins officiated.
Cookeville Chapel of Hooper, Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
