Obituary

Kemuel W. "Ken" Allen

April 16, 1948 - May 5, 2026

Kemuel W. "Ken" Allen, age 78 and a resident of Franklinton, known as “Papa” to his family and others, went to his Heavenly Home early Tuesday morning May 5, 2026 after a brief illness. He was born on April 16, 1948 and was a Class of 1966 graduate of Franklinton High School before continuing his education at Louisiana State University. Ken was a veteran of the United States Army, serving his country at Fort Polk, LA and in Bobligen, Germany from 1968-1970. Following his military service, Ken began a career at Magee Financial, which spanned 40 years before his retirement. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Franklinton and through the years served on the board of directors for the Franklinton Country Club, Riverside Medical Center and currently the Franklinton Association for Challenged Citizens. Ken was a past member of the Franklinton Skeet Club and coached youth baseball and girls softball for many years. He was a regular at all Bowling Green School athletic events and other ceremonies for many years. Ken had a special group of close friends, dating back to high school, and together they attended countless LSU football games, Mardi Gras parades, floating trips on the Bogue Chitto River, special parties and family celebrations through the years. For a time, Ken and his buddies jogged, once training for an entire year to complete the Chicago Marathon, an accomplishment he was always proud of. He will be forever sadly missed by his family, whom her loved dearly, his many friends and former coworkers.

Survived by: Wife of 57 years: Brenda Barber Allen; Son: John David Allen (Bleu); Granddaughters and a Spouse: Kiersten Allen Miller and Justyn Miller, Hailey Lynn Maddern; Son in law: Tom Maddern (Patricia); Daughter in law: Becky Smith (Will); Sisters in law and Brothers in law: Mary Jane Allen, Judy and Carl Thomas, Rita Magee, Randy Barber; Special Aunt: Betty Davis; Also numerous nieces, nephews, their families and many special friends

He was preceded in death by his daughter Jan Renee Allen, parents Ellie Allen and Letha Seal Allen, brother Lonnie Allen, brother and sister in law Alfred and Vivian Allen, father in law and mother in law Ellis and Ruth Barber, sister in law Shirley Stansbury, brothers in law Ellis E. Barber, William “Butch” Magee, niece Sherri Hall and other family members.

Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church (903 Cleveland Street, Franklinton) on Thursday May 21st from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm. A memorial service will be held in the church at 12:00 pm with Rev. Joey Miller and Dr. Keith Sheridan officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Franklinton Association for Challenged Citizens (P.O. Box 622, Franklinton, LA 70438).