Former Baptist Courier associate editor Fletcher Allen dies

Fletcher Allen, 78, former associate editor of The Baptist Courier and retired editor of the Tennessee Baptist & Reflector, died of cancer at his home in Franklin, Tenn., on Feb. 27, 2010.

Fletcher Allen

A native of Hartsville and a Furman University graduate, Allen served at The Baptist Courier for 17 years and was on staff when Don Kirkland, editor of the Courier, joined the paper as a young assistant editor in 1974.

“I spent a lot of time looking over his shoulder,” Kirkland said. “We worked together for about nine years, and it was a time in which I grew because of his abilities as a journalist.

“He was a very talented writer as well as a good editor, but he was an even better friend. I had not seen him often in recent years, but when we did get together, it was as if we had not been apart.”

Allen also served on the staff of another Baptist state paper: as editor of the Baptist True Union (now Baptist Life), newsjournal of the Maryland-Delaware convention, prior to joining the Baptist & Reflector.

In his first editorial for the Baptist & Reflector, Allen reflected on his love and respect for his profession – Christian journalism.

“Christian journalism in Southern Baptist life has a long and illustrious history,” Allen wrote. “We must not allow that history to be blemished; the task is the same task that faced those first journalists – tell the news openly, honestly, completely, with integrity and compassion.”

During his 10-plus years as editor, Allen regularly emphasized stories on missions and evangelism, two emphases he believed in personally, participating in every mission partnership of the Tennessee Baptist Convention while serving as editor.

Allen also led the paper into the computer age, moving from typewriters and typesetting equipment to computer-based production.

Connie Davis Bushey, news editor of the B&R who was on staff when Allen became editor, said, “Fletcher believed that if Baptists had information about Baptist life, they could make better decisions.”

And Allen had a passion for Baptists, Bushey said, noting, “Fletcher simply loved Baptists despite their disagreements and divisions.”

James Porch, executive director-treasurer of the Tennessee convention, said Allen “keenly knew the value of editorial freedom and protected the gift through fair and honest responsible writing,” adding, “Tennessee Baptists have lost a great friend.”

During retirement, Allen wrote and edited a family history, “Half a Dozen Assorted,” and two other personal books, “Plowing Wind and Time” and “Generations: Ripples to the River,” which was printed just prior to his death. In 2005, Allen also wrote “Telling the Truth in Love: A Brief History of the Baptist and Reflector from 1835.”

A resident of Greenville from the 1960s to the 1980s, Allen was the widower of Betty Allen, father of four daughters, and grandfather of nine. While living in Greenville, he was a member of Sans Souci Baptist Church, serving as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and softball and basketball coach.

For many years, he was active in international mission programs through his church and work, both before and after his retirement.

He and his late wife are survived by four daughters, Amy Buckingham of Greer; Jennifer Howard of Lexington; Monica Langdale of Wiesbaden, Germany; and Melody Scott of Franklin, Tenn. He also is survived by a brother, David L. Allen, and a sister, Elsie A. Byrd, both of Hartsville, S.C.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Willow Ridge Church, 104 Sycamore Tree Rd., Lexington, S.C., 29073. The gifts will be used to support “Alex’s House,” an orphanage for Haitian children, established by pastor Bill Howard, Allen’s son-in-law.

– Wilkey is editor of the Baptist & Reflector, newsjournal of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. With reporting by Butch Blume.