Services for John E. “Buddy” Allen, of Brookhaven, are 11 a.m.Wednesday, Dec. 3, at Riverwood Family Funeral Service Chapel withburial in Riverwood Memorial Park.

Visitation is Tuesday from 5 until 9 p.m. at the funeralhome.

Mr. Allen, 68, died Nov. 30, 2008, at Hospice Ministries inRidgeland. He was born on Sept. 14, 1940, to Parkes Allen and MaudEvans Allen.

He retired from BellSouth and was a former Brookhaven aldermanfor Ward 6. Mr. Allen was an ordained deacon, a Past Worthy Patronof Eastern Star, a Mason, a York Rite Mason and an Unsung Hero. Mr.Allen also formed the “Pappy and friends” program. He also receivedthe advanced elected official certificate. He was a member ofSouthway Baptist Church. Mr. Allen wanted to be remembered as a manthat loved the Lord, his family and his hometown of Brookhaven.

The family would also like to thank Mrs. Leggett of HospiceMinistries for taking such good, loving care of him.

Preceding him in death were his parents; and a brother, BobbyAllen.

Survivors are his wife, Dianne Smith Allen; a son, Ricky G.Allen and wife, Kelly, of Brookhaven; a daughter, Rebecca A.Panzica and husband, Richard, of Brookhaven; a brother, RobertAllen, of Kosciusko; and his five grandchildren, Maddie Allen,Meredith Allen, Jessica Falvey, Jamie Falvey and Daniel Panzica.His grandchildren were the love of his life.

Memorials may be made to Ridgeland Hospice Ministries, 450 TownCenter Blvd., Ridgeland, MS 39157.