Russell Clayton Allen, Sr.

Russell Clayton Allen, Sr. 71, of Paragould, passed away May 4, 2012, at his home. He was born August 22, 1940 in Wayne County, Missouri to Clayton Harrison Allen and Cora Blanch Eads Allen. He graduated from Patterson High School in 1958 and earned an associate’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a 4.0 grade point average. He served in the Air Force from 1958-1962 and was stationed in Ryukian Islands, Japan, during the Vietnam War. He married Carolyn Fuller on May 27, 1983. He retired from Dr. Pepper in 2003 as a diesel mechanic. Preceding him in death were his parents; a sister, Kathleen Robinson, two brothers, Marvin Allen and Bill Allen. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, of the home: daughter and son-in-law: Teresa and Jeffrey Short of Lompoc, California; sons and daughters-in-law: Bret and Soccoro Allen, Clay and Ashley Allen, Shanon and Jennifer Anthony, Scott and Kim Anderson, all of Paragould; two grandsons, 8 granddaughters, one great grandson and one great granddaughter; sisters and brothers-in-law: Erma and Eugene Pruitt, Pam and Tom Willis; brother and sister-in-law: Dennis and Alice Allen; and stepmother: Louise Allen. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Monday, at Heath Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Tuesday, at 10:30 AM at Heath Funeral Home, with Danny Robinson officiating. Burial will follow at Brown's Chapel Cemetery. Pallbearers are Pete Higdon, Billy Joe Foster, David White, Mike Wess, Rick Mellow and Bruce Drope. Honorary pallbearers are the Greene County Constables and the Greene County Sheriff's Department. Memorials may be sent to St. Jude Childrens Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Sign online guestbook at www.heathfuneralhome.com.