Kenneth Rein Allen

Kenneth Rein Allen, 87, of Berea, passed away March 30, 2024, at Baptist Health in Richmond. He was born May 8, 1936, the youngest child of Luther (of the Allen family of Winn Parish) and Gladys Powell Allen in Pineville, Louisiana. Kenneth attended Rosenthal Grammar School in Alexandria, Louisiana and graduated from Pineville High School in Pineville in 1954. In August 1958 he earned his Bachelor of Science in Education degree at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. In September he became an Industrial Arts teacher at Alexandria Junior High School in Alexandria. Louisiana and in 1966 was named Assistant Principal.

Mr. Allen served as Principal of AJH from 1969 until his retirement in 1990. From Northwestern State College at Natchitoches, Louisiana he earned a Master of Education degree in 1969 and later earned what was known as 30 plus hours in Secondary School Administration. As a Rapides Parish teacher, Kenneth supplemented his income as a YMCA summer camp counselor, swimming pool lifeguard, adult driver education teacher and as local director of Junior Achievement. Kenneth was initiated into Kappa Phi Kappa in 1957 and into Phi Delta Kappa in 1967.

He served in the Rapides Parish Classroom Teachers Association and as President of the Rapides Association of Principals and Assistant Principals in 1983. In 1981 was listed in "Outstanding Louisiana Educators". As a middle school administrator, Mr. Allen served in the Alexandria Rotary Club for 17 years. In the 50's Kenneth joined First Baptist Church in Pineville, Louisiana and was ordained Deacon on Oct. 8, 1972. He served as a Sunday School teacher of second graders for 25 years.

On January 29, 1956, Kenneth married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Brister. Their marriage was blessed with three children: Julie Kaye, (Lewis Turpin of Natchitoches, Louisiana, Margaret Susanne (Susie), (Richard Dorn of Berea, Kentucky) and Nancy Lynne (Gene Danzy) of Naperville, Illinois. and four grandchildren: Dr. Jennifer Danzy Cramer, Nick Danzy, Casey Dorn and Summer Dorn, DVM. Great granddaughters are Violet Elise and Joy Clover Cramer.

Kenneth and Margaret mentored Trinh, Tuan and Thuy Chau (Vietnamese refugee teenagers) now citizens and professionals in Tennessee.

To live closer to family, in 1993 Kenneth and Margaret moved to Berea, Kentucky. Silver Creek Baptist Church became their church home and place of ministry with Kenneth serving on committees and as Deacon chairman for six terms.

Kenneth was an avid fisherman and knew all the "hot spots" on Latt Lake in Grant Parish in Louisiana. In Kentucky his interest turned to gardening, camping, volunteerism and sharing tomatoes with elderly friends. He spent untold hours in his home workshop selling his products through Woodworking for the Birds.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings: Alfred Powell Allen and Mary Grace Allen. He is survived by his devoted wife Margaret of 68 years, sisters, Bobbie Delaney of California, and Gloria Taylor of Florida, by his children: Julie Kaye (Lewis Turpin) of Natchitoches, Louisiana, Margaret Susanne (Richard Dorn) of Berea, Kentucky, and Nancy Lynne (Gene Danzy) of Naperville, Illinois. and four grandchildren: Dr. Jennifer Danzy Cramer, Nick Danzy, Casey Dorn and Summer Dorn, DVM. Great granddaughters are Violet Elise and Joy Clover Cramer.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at Lakes Funeral Home. Bro. Randy McPheron officiated. Burial followed in Madison County Memorial Gardens.

Lakes Funeral Home in Berea was in charge of arrangements.