Joseph Enoch “Joe” Allen, age 79, of Hartselle, AL and formerly from Selma, AL, passed away March 10, 2011.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Bascom Allen and Jewel Oates Allen Phelps and his brother, Robert (Bob) Allen.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Cross Allen; daughters, Kim Allen Gully of Hartselle, AL and Dana Allen (Mike) Haley of Gastonia, NC; grandsons, Conner, Clay and Clark Gully of Hartselle, AL and John and Peter Haley of Gastonia, NC; sisters, Daphryn Ann Crew of Montgomery, AL, Betty Istre (Darrell Dean) of Baton Rouge, LA and Kay (Tommy) McHugh of Orrville, AL; brother, Tim (Terri) Allen of Columbus, OH; sister-in-law, Andrea Cross of Selma, AL and a host of nieces and nephews.

Graveside services were held Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 3:30 p.m. at New Live Oak Cemetery with Rev. Daniel Martin officiating and Selma Funeral Home directing.  Visitation was prior to the service at the funeral home from 1-3 p.m.

A Celebration of Life service was held Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Hartselle, AL with Rev. Harold Thompson and Rev. Bobby Ray Halbrooks officiating.

Mr. Allen was a member of First United Methodist Church, Hartselle, AL.  He retired as owner of Joe Allen’s Service Center in Selma, AL.  He was a veteran of the United States Navy and the United States Air Force.

Mr. Allen was an avid gardener, excellent cook, caretaker of widows and an adoptive father/grandfather to a score of young men. He was a faithful husband, the best Dad any girl could hope to have and the greatest Papa any grandson could play with and learn from.

He was the patriarch of his entire family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to be made to Good Samaritan Ministry, c/o First United Methodist Church, 210 Hickory St. SW, Hartselle, AL 35640 or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 100 Chase Park 220, Birmingham, AL  35244.