FRANKLIN, Tenn. (ABP) — A retired denominational journalist who worked three decades at Baptist newspapers in three states died Feb. 27 after a long battle with cancer.
Fletcher Allen, 78, of Franklin, Tenn., worked 17 years as associate editor of the Baptist Courier in South Carolina before being named editor in 1983 of the Maryland Baptist, news journal of the Baptist Convention Maryland/Delaware. The paper was renamed the Baptist True Union during his editorship and now is called Baptist Life.
In 1987 Allen became editor of Baptist & Reflector, news journal of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. He held the post just over 10 years before retiring in 1998, ending a career in Baptist journalism that spanned more than 31 years.
In 2008 Allen began treatment after a recurrence of prostate cancer was found to have spread to his bone.
A native of Hartsville, S.C., Allen graduated from Furman University in 1954. He worked six years as news director and alumni editor at the school, which at the time was affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention but severed formal ties with the state's Baptists in 1992.
Allen worked as a reporter and sports editor at the Florence (S.C.) Morning News following Army service in Germany. Before joining the Baptist Courier staff at age 35, he worked briefly in public relations for Sonoco, a manufacturing company that supplies industrial packaging products, based in his hometown.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty. He is survived by four daughters, nine grandchildren, a brother and a sister. His funeral service is scheduled at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 8 at ClearView Baptist Church in Franklin, Tenn.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests gifts in Allen's memory to Willow Ridge Church in Lexington, S.C. The memorial will be used to support "Alex's House," an orphanage for Haitian children established by Pastor Bill Howard, Allen's son-in-law.
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