Eddie Brown Allen

SEVIERVILLE - Eddie Brown Allen, age 78 of Sevierville was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. He passed away at the University of Tennessee Hospital with his wife by his side.

Born in 1945 in a real log cabin on Flat Creek in

Sevier County, Ed was the youngest child born to

Alton and Gladys Allen, 8 years after the last of six older sisters. He was an uncle two times before he was even born.

Ed was saved at an early age in 1956, and joined

First Baptist Church, Sevierville. After Covid, when he really didn’t feel like going to church, he would watch the service on TV. He would watch the early service and then the late service, even though they were the same. If he fell asleep in the late service, he would back it up and watch it again.

In his younger days, Ed often talked about walking to town and going to the movies at the Pines Theatre with his buddies. He graduated from Sevier County High School in 1965 and shortly thereafter, was drafted into the Army. He often said the first time he saw his dad cry was when they put him on the bus to go to basic training. When he came back from overseas, he was sent to Ft. Still, Oklahoma and upon receiving his honorable discharge he came home to Sevier County in 1967.

Ed worked for Activated Metals and Electro Voice for several years, then later worked with his brother-in-law, Ben Henry, at Sevierville Upholstery. When Ben retired, Eddie went to work for Carl Hatcher Furniture and remained there until his retirement.

Ed loved to fish on Douglas Lake and Lake Okeechobee in Florida with his brothers-in-law and friends. His favorite thing was to work on and tinker with old custom cars. He loved any old hot rod and enjoyed going to the car shows when they were in town with his buddy Troy and his son Preston, once he was old enough to go. Even when he felt bad, he always found a way to get to a car show. He passed on his love of “classic cars” to his son. Ed also enjoyed riding his dirtbike and motorcycles in earlier years although he didn’t like the idea of Preston having one. Eddie love old rock N’ roll music and would sit for hours listening to it.

He was very particular in any job he did and very meticulous, sometimes driving everyone nuts as he took so much time completing a job. But when he did, you could count on the fact it was done right.

Ed loved all six of his sisters so much. And along with Mom and Pap, they had him so very spoiled over the years. They would admit they had him spoiled and loved doing it. Then they sent him out to marry his wife. She just picked up where they left off, often saying it was just easier to keep him spoiled than try and change him. He was so good with his wife’s family and embraced them as if they were his own. He loved his dogs and kitty cats that were so faithful to him. Ed wanted to adopt every little dog or cat that was pictured in the paper. He always welcomed Preston’s friends into our home and let them know they could stay as long as they needed to. They all called him Pop, as did Preston.

His nephew and one of his best friends, Ronnie, introduced him to his future bride. It was a blind date that led to a marriage of 45 years. He was very dedicated to his friends and his family and would have done anything for any of them. Ed was so very proud when Preston was born; he had a son! He was so good with children. Three of his special nieces were very close to him and loved him like a father.

Ed is preceded in death by his parents, Alton and Gladys Allen; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jewell Shults, Amanda Lindsey (James), Kathleen Henry, Emory Shearin and Lon Sutton; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bob and Beverly Saunders; sister-in-law, Robyn Saunders Brown; and special nephew (who was like a brother), Ronnie Shults and John Shearin. Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Jeannie Allen; son, Preston Allen; sisters, Aileen Shearin of Forsythe, GA, Beulah Sutton of Sevierville, Juanita Burnette (Horace) of West Palm Beach, FL; brother-in-law, Ben Henry of Kodak; sister-in-law, Sheila Ellis of Knoxville; as well as special nieces, Deborah Henry of Kodak, Ronna Lee Mason of Dothan, AL, Sarah Vaughn of Knoxville and Jeanna Brown of Knoxville. In addition, he is survived by several other nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He also leaves behind his very special and best friend of over 65 years, Troy Williams. The family would like to extend a special “thank you” to the staff of the University of Tennessee Trauma ICU and Trauma Surgery ICU units, who were so very kind to Ed and his family.

Memorial donations may be made to Sevier County Humane Society, P.O. Box 976, Pigeon Forge, TN 37868, Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation, P.O. Box 4395, Sevierville, TN 37864 or First Baptist Church, Sevierville TV Ministry, 317 Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862.

The family will receive friends 2 PM – 4:45 PM Sunday, September 17 followed by funeral service at 5 PM in the West Chapel of Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville. Pastor Dan Spencer will officiate. A procession will leave Atchley Funeral Home 11 AM Monday, September 18 for a graveside service and interment at Allen Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post #104. Online condolences may be made at www. atchleyfuneralhome.com