Obituary of Eugene Hawkins Allen

Eugene Hawkins Allen was born on December 14, 1939, in Rosedale, Mississippi, to Ernest Byrd Allen, Sr. and Mary Nell Hawkins Allen. Gene, or Gogo as he was known to his grandchildren, passed peacefully at his home in Oak Ridge on September 12, 2025. Gene grew up in Clinton, Mississippi with his older siblings, Mary Nell “Bootsie” Giddens and Ernest Byrd “Brother” Allen, Jr. Gene graduated from Clinton High School in 1957 and from Mississippi College in 1961 with degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics. While at Mississippi College, Gene served on the Judicial Council, on the Student Senate, and as a medic in the Mississippi Air National Guard based at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. After graduation, Gene entered the workforce, employed as a chemist at Dow Chemical in Baton Rouge, Olin Chemical in Saltville, Virginia, and Georgia Pacific in Crossett, Arkansas, and Louisville, Mississippi. While in Baton Rouge, he met Nancy Files on a blind date in the fall of 1963, and they were married in Oak Ridge on October 17, 1964. In 1975, Gene and his family established in Oak Ridge, where he served Bank of Oak Ridge as Vice President, President, and CEO for forty years, retiring in 2015. He served his community faithfully in multiple capacities: as a scout leader, member and president of Brookville #161, deacon and Sunday school teacher at Oak Ridge Baptist Church, long-time board member and president of the board of directors of Riverfield Academy, a volunteer fireman for years, and the custodian of the Oak Ridge Village flags. Gene was a vocal and patriotic American and a loyal and true friend to many. Gene relished his famous fishing trips with friends and family out of Venice in a “revolving door” of boats. Another passion arose contemporaneously with the arrival of grandchildren, that of travelling far and wide with Nancy and said dear grandchildren in a “revolving door” of motor homes. Many life-long memories were made on these trips. The love of Gene’s life was his wife of 60 years, Nancy. They shared six decades of life together, and focused their lives on Jesus Christ, in worship and especially in song. Gene received much delight from all sorts of Gospel music, as anyone who ever took a trip with him or visited his home can attest! Gene’s faith in Christ was unabashedly demonstrated by his words, deeds, and actions throughout his life. Gene is survived by his wife, Nancy Files Allen; his sister-in-law, Mary Files Windsor; his son, Thomas Eugene Allen and his wife, Hannah; his daughter Mary Linda Lipe and husband, Jonathan. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren - Mary Kyle Allen and fiancé, Garrett Wingrove; Sarah Lipe Moon and husband, Parker; Anna Kathryn Lipe Predtechenskis and husband, Beau; Alexander Hawkins Allen; Jon Paul Lipe; Molly Ann Allen; and Mary Lillian Lipe; sister-in-law, Norma Allen; and brother-in-law, Stephen Giddens. Pallbearers are Dixon Abell, Andy Barham, Mike Barham, Robert Barham, Tommy Barham, Dr. Louie Crook, Dr. Chambliss Harrod, Marcus Johnson, Stewart Robinette, Matt Robinson, Clint Shepard, Bubba Stevenson, and Jonathan Tate. Honorary Pallbearers are Paul Deits, Dr. Tom Estis, Ken Kovac, Collin Miller, Turpin Mott, Jim Rolfe, Joe Cooper Rolfe, Charles Tullos, and Paul Wiggins. Funeral service for Mr. Eugene Hawkins Allen will be held at 10 AM Monday, September 15, 2025, at Oak Ridge Baptist Church with Pastor Eddie Davis officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Ridge Baptist Cemetery. A time of visitation with the family will be held in the home of Tom and Hannah Allen after the graveside service. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Oak Ridge Baptist Church or French Camp Academy, 1 Fine Pl, Natchez Trace, French Camp, MS 39745-9703.