Benny Allen was born on January 4, 1940 in Pendergrass, GA to the late James Herschel Allen, Sr. and the late Willina Randolph Allen. He was preceded in death by his siblings, James Herschel Allen, Jr., James Thomas Allen, Joel Henry Allen, Elevera Allen Newton, Eddie Junior Allen, William Walter Allen, John Andrew Allen, Sr., Wimpy Bill Allen, Sr., and Shirley Mae Allen Martin.
Benny received Christ at a young age where he attended New Salem Baptist Church. Later, he became a member at St. John Baptist Church where he was a member of the Angelic Voices. He also attended Talladega College in Alabama. In 1963, he joined the United States Army. He received an honorable discharge in 1965. In 1966, he married Betty Sue Lott Allen. To this union, Benny Twaits Allen and Henley Durand Allen were born. He started his professional career in law enforcement in 1967. During his time with the Gainesville Police Department, he held positions such as Sargent of the Youth Division and as a Detective. He retired from the Gainesville Police Department in 1989.
Survivors include sons, Benny Twaits (Paula) Allen and Henley Durand (Corsha) Allen; grandchildren, Hamilton Coley Allen, Darion Jahquan Allen, and Benjamin Douglas Allen; brother, Bishop Rogers Lee Allen, Sr.; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral service will be held Friday, 12:00p, June 26, 2020 at Dexter T. Sims Mortuary, LLC in The Rev. Charlie Sims, Jr. and Conchita Sims Memorial Chapel. Burial will be in Alta Vista Cemetery. Viewing will be Thursday June 25, 2020 from 2pm-7pm. The family will receive family and friends from 5pm-7pm.
Dexter T. Sims Mortuary, LLC, Gainesville, has charge of arrangements.