Fletcher Allen, 78, former associate editor of The Baptist Courier, died at his home in Franklin, Tenn., on Feb. 27, 2010.
Fletcher AllenAllen, a native of Hartsville and a Furman University graduate, was retired editor of the Baptist & Reflector, the state newspaper of the Tennessee Baptist Convention.
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 on Monday. “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.”
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, Betty, 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.
A celebration of Allen’s life is scheduled for Sunday, March 8, at ClearView Baptist Church in Franklin, Tenn. Visitation will begin at 2:00, with a service following at 3:00.