Noah Richard Allen

In 1909, Noah opened the People’s Department Store on Putnam Avenue, Hurricane. Along with selling merchandise, Noah sold casket materials. In those days, the deceased’s family took care of everything including the building of the casket. As the community needs grew, Noah opened Allen Funeral Home in 1916. He sold caskets, made funeral and burial arrangements and had black horse-drawn hearse. In 1932, Noah moved Allen Funeral Home to its present day location on Main Street which was the former Poindexter Hotel. Noah married Emma Grace Henderson in 1905. They had five children: Nita, Elton Elsworth “Tony”, Albert “Ray”, Colvert, and Neva. Noah was very active in the community as a Sunday School teacher, Superintendent of Sunday School and Chairman of the Board of Deacons at First Baptist Church. Noah died at his home on November 25, 1939.

Elton Elsworth "Tony" Allen

E.E. “Tony” Allen followed into his father’s footsteps becoming the second generation funeral director. He graduated from Cincinnati School of Embalming in 1938. Tony married Nancy Roach on April 6, 1937. They had two children: Don and Ann. Tony was also part owner/operator of Allen-Casdorph Funeral Home in St. Albans. Due to increasing demand for ambulance service in Hurricane, he sold his share in the St. Albans business. Tony was in politics and served as county Republican Chairman two terms and served on the Hurricane Town Council for 16 years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, charter member and past president of the Lions Club, member of the W.V. State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors, member and past President of WV Funeral Directors Association, member of the Conference of Funeral Service of the United States. He was also a Mason and Shiner. Tony retired in 1978 handing over the tradition to his son, Don. Tony died at his home on September 12, 1987.

Don Richard Allen

Continuing the tradition, Don became the third generation funeral director. Don Allen entered the business that his grandfather started after graduating from the Kentucky School of Embalming in 1964. Thus, making Don the third generation of the family-ran business. Don married Jean Bailey on March 17, 1964. They had four children: Mary Ann, Greg, Whitney, and Wesley. He was member of the WV Amateur Radio Association, National Funeral Directors Association, and WV Funeral Directors Association. He was also a member of the Hurricane First Baptist Church. Don passed away at his home on November 25, 2002.

Gregory Don Allen

President/Licensed Director in Charge

The fourth generation of Allen family funeral directors began when Gregory “Greg” Allen graduated from Mid-America College of Funeral Service in Jeffersonville, Indiana, in February 1989. In addition to being a funeral director, Greg is licensed with the WV Insurance Commission and registered with the WV Attorney General to handle arrangement of pre-need insurance. He is member of the National Funeral Directors Association and WV Funeral Directors Association. He married Kelly Rogers in April 1990. They have three children: Noah, Tony and McKenzie. They are members of the Hurricane First Baptist Church.

Wesley Richard Allen

Vice President/Funeral Director

Another member of the fourth generation tradition, Wesley graduated from Mid- America College of Funeral Service in Jeffersonville, Indiana, in September 2000. He began working along side his father and brother at that time. He served as a Hurricane volunteer fireman from 1994 to 2001. He is a member of the WV Amateur Radio Association, National Funeral Directors Association, and WV Funeral Directors Association. He married Katie Massey in April 2002. They have two children: Abbie and Wesley Don.