James Allen

James Washington Allen, age 89, passed away June 13, 2024, in his home in Sparta Tennessee. He was born in a two-room cabin in Jackson County Tennessee on February 14, 1935, to Zenith & Sarah (Bessie) Allen.

On December 12, 1953, James married the love of his life, Ella Mai Pigg, also of Jackson County Tennessee. They were the parents of two daughters, Barbara Diane Kirby and Brenda Darlene Fields.

James was called into ministry in 1959 and has served the Lord faithfully. He was a minister in the Brethren In Christ Church and in the Christian Baptist Association. He pastored for over 40 years in locations of Dayton, Ohio, Smithville, Tennessee, and Sparta, Tennessee. After retirement, he continued his ministry by gifting books to others, so that they might come to know the Lord.

James enjoyed woodworking, quilting, gardening, reading and word search puzzles.

James was predeceased by his daughter Barbara “Diane” Kirby, son-in-laws Tim Fields and Clifford “Gene” Kirby, his parents Zenith and Sarah “Bessie” Allen, his in-laws Willie and Ova Pigg, his brothers Winford Allen and Norman Allen, and his sister Mattie Rush.

Survivors include one daughter, Brenda Fields; three granddaughters, Melissa Hash of Sparta Tennessee, Michelle Mullican and husband Tim of Sparta, Tennessee and Rachael Smith and husband Barry of Oakridge, Tennessee; two grandsons, Matt Fields of Garden City, Kansas and Josh Fields and wife Lindsey of Jacksonville, FL; Six great grandchildren, Hannah Howard, Leah, Sarah and Molly Mullican, Liam and Eli Fields. Four sisters, Anna Lee and husband Clayton, Mildred Harness, Mary Fields and Velma Allen.

The family will welcome friends Sunday, June 16. 2024 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Visitation again on Monday, June 17, 2024 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am and service to follow at 11:00 am at Hooper Huddleston & Horner funeral home and Kerry Higgins will be officiating. The burial will immediately follow in the Oaklawn Cemetery of Sparta, Tennessee.

You may share condolences and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com. The Cookeville Chapel of Hooper, Huddleston & Horner is in charge of arrangements 931-526-6111