Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, March 10, 2023 at Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia for Ray Carter Allen, 86, of Columbia, who passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia. Rev. Dave Nichols and Minister Daphne Parker will officiate the services. Kent Lucas will provide special music. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at Hathorn Funeral Home.

Mr. Allen served in the U.S. Navy for thirteen years. He worked at Joe's Firestone in Greenville, Mississippi for twenty-six years where he retired. Mr. Allen was a Minister and Pastor serving the Lord for fifty-eight years.

Ray was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was a member of East Columbia Baptist Church. He loved the Lord first, his family second and gardening. Ray loved his family with all his heart and enjoyed talking about them and his Lord and Savior. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him and loved him but, family and friends take peace and comfort knowing they will see him again.

He was preceded in death by his Father, William Allen; Mother, Linda Irwin Allen; four Brothers, twin brother, Roy Curtis Allen, Daniel Allen, Weldon Allen, Jimmy Allen; one Sister, Louise Slade.

He is survived by his Wife of 66 years, Margaret Miller Allen; two Sons, Ray Andrew Allen (Judy), James "Jim" Allen (BB); one Brother, Douglas Allen (Irene); one Sister, Kay Koestner; one Sister-in-law, Becky Allen;

two Grandchildren, Christi McMichael (Geoffrey), Jeremy Allen (Beth); six Great Grandchildren, Caitlin McMichael, Kayleigh Allen, Wyatt Allen, Edith Allen, Carleigh McMichael, Rowan Allen and a number of Nieces, Nephews and Cousins.

Pallbearers will be Greg Elkins, Shawn Elkins, Hunter Elkins, Brandon McMichael, Adam Renshaw, John Wesley Rayborn. Honorary pallbearers will be Wyatt Allen, Joe Muzzi.

Hathorn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Friends may sign an online guest register book at www.hathornfuneralhome.com