Hoyle Allen

Hoyle “Reece” Allen, age 79 of Albemarle, passed away on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at his home. The family will receive friends at Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle on Friday, September 28 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. The funeral service will be held in the Hartsell Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, September 29 at 11:00 AM, officiated by Rev. Jim Yow. Burial will follow in the Oakboro Cemetery. At other times, the family will meet at his home. Mr. Allen was born in Stanly County on April 29, 1933 to the late Walter Clifford Allen and the late Dora Lee Little Allen. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Josephine Strickland Allen of the home; three daughters, Lee Ann Efird (Randy) of Raleigh, Amy Dennis (Sandon) of Albemarle, and Lynn Sliz (Nicholas) of Waxhaw; one brother, Tom Allen (Dene) of Thomasville; eight grandchildren, Matthew, Ben, Will and Campbell Efird, Lauren D. Hutchins (Matthew), Leslie Dennis, Nicholas and Alex Sliz; two great-grandchildren, Reece and Clara Efird; and his beloved dog, Pedro. He attended North Carolina State University in his youth and, until the day of his death, hated the Tar Heels and loved the Wolfpack. Even though his heart was with NCSU, education was always a priority for Reece. He loved seeing his grandchildren succeed in college, regardless of where they attended. Reece, or Papa as his grandchildren knew him, had a passion for sharing jokes that usually made him laugh much harder than the person listening. He was also very passionate about the state of North Carolina and history in general. Nothing made him happier than to be able to share facts or figures with his grandchildren, buy them coins of varying significance and purchase yearly subscriptions for those who were interested in the “Our State” magazine. He was a fervent lover of dogs and they always brought him peace and happiness. His current “son” Pedro, meant more to him than most anything else in the world. I know he can rest peacefully knowing that Pedro will be loved and well taken care of by Josephine. Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, 172 N. 2nd Street, Albemarle, NC 28001. Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Allen family.