“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man would lay down his life for his friends.” John 15: 12-14
Army Specialist Pierre Emmanuel Allen of Ft. Bragg, NC, age 21, with the United States Army, Headquarters Company, 37th Engineers Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade, died Saturday, May 24, 2008 in an attempt to rescue swimmers who were in distress in the waters off Panama Beach, FL. “Private First Class Allen’s actions exemplified the Warrior Ethos” stated Capt. John Bacon, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company. “Dedicated to both the military and his family, he continually sought ways to develop himself as a model soldier while demonstrating a healthy balance in his personal life as a devoted husband and father. Specialist Allen had a significant impact on the many lives he came in contact with and will be sadly missed.”
Allen is remembered locally as an outstanding student and athlete. In addition to Beta Club and many academic awards, Allen was a member of the 1st place State 4 x 4 track team and winner of the State 300 meter run. He was selected as a Jr. Olympics (Hawaii) team member and traveled with a Memphis track team in the summer after graduating from Water Valley High School in 2005. Allen attended MS State University on a track scholarship before joining the US Army in 2006 and becoming a legal specialist. Allen was a member of Everdale M. B. Church of Water Valley, MS.
Visitation will be Saturday, May 31, 2008 at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from 5 until 7 p.m. in the Gardiner Room. The funeral service is scheduled for Sunday, June 1, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home. Full military honors will take place at Oak Ridge Cemetery immediately following the service. Military personnel will serve as pallbearers. Special friends of Pierre Allen are Justin Thomas, Antonio Crowder, Derek Croy, Scott Stewart, Kevin West, Steven McCartt and Fallon Love.
Allen is survived by his wife, LaRhonda Allen; one daughter, Alexandrea Allen; two step-daughters, Simone White and LaQuaysha Rockette; and one step-son, Jerimyah Neely, all of Ft. Bragg, NC; six sisters, Stephanie Allen and Jasmine Allen, both of Water Valley, MS; Darlene Turner-Miller of Lancaster, CA, Juante’ Lunsford of Palmdale, CA, Donnisha Butler-Turner of Atlanta, GA, and Chelsie Allen of Buena Vista, Virginia; his father, Steve Allen and his wife Dale, of Water Valley, MS; and his step-mother, Tracy Allen of Oxford, MS.
Pierre Allen was preceded in death by his mother, Sheila Turner in 1991.