Donald Ellis Allen, age 85, of 709 Mound Street, Clifton Forge, Virginia was born in Iron Gate, Virginia on July 16, 1936 to the late William Henry Allen and Rosetta Hardman Allen. He departed this life on September 6, 2021 at his residence.
Donald was employed by the City of Clifton Forge for many years and served as Public Works Director; he also worked at Sunoco. He served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. Donald can be remembered as a friend to many, as he never met a stranger. He enjoyed helping anyone in need. Donald also assisted in rebuilding the Bread of Life Church on Ridgeway Street, Clifton Forge.
Donald married Geraldine Key on April 11, 1958, and to this union, 3 sons were born, Jerome, Attell, and Willie.
In addition to his parents, Donald was preceded in death by 2 sons, Jerome Allen and Willie Allen; a brother, Bernard Allen; 2 sisters, Ernestine Allen and Mable Pierce; father-and mother-in-law, William and Teressa Key; brother-in-law, Clinton Pierce; and sister-in-law, Evelyn T. Broady.
Donald is survived by his wife of 63 years, Geralding Key Allen; a son and daughter-in-law, Attell and Karen Allen of Richmond; a sister, Pauline Ellison; a brother, William Allen, Sr., of Iron Gate; brother-in-law, Richard Key; sisters-in-law, Cathering Godfrey and Carolyn Allen; and a devoted nephew, Leonard Allen and wife. Grandchildren, Demittre Twitty, Covington; Jessica Shelton, Chatell Callis, Chante Allen, and Brad Vaughn, all of Richmond; Tia Alien, Roanoke. Great grandchildren, Travon Hunter, Tera Hunter, Shemari Turpin, Chanya Callis, Chloe Callis, Karter Henderson, Kamille Homes, Warren Allen; along with a host of nephews and nieces and other family members. A special friend, John Bolton. And a special nephew, Gregory Key.
Friends may visit at the residence at 709 Mound Street.
Service will be held on Sunday, September 12, 2021 at 2:00 PM in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with Reverend Preston Tyler officiating. Interment will follow in Red Hill Cemetery, Clifton Forge. Pallbearers will be Mark Leisure, Danny Christian, Pat Simmons, Leroy Twitty, Leroy Morgan, Jeff Irvine, and Rodney Brown. Flower bearers will be Cynthia Carter, Nannie West, Evelyn Cooper, Cynthia Burks, Beverly Twitty, and Denise Leisure. The family will receive friends on Sunday afternoon from 12:30 PM until the time of service at Nicely Funeral Home.
To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com.