James "Jiggs" Edward Allen

In the afternoon of January 2, 2017, Jiggs passed away quietly after a long battle with cancer at his home in Harrison County, Texas. Jiggs was 82 years old.

James "Jiggs" Edward Allen was born in rural Miller County, Arkansas on May 27, 1934. He was the third child of Verna Mae Hanson Allen and Earnest Alexander Allen.

Jiggs grew up in Jefferson, Marion County, Texas, went to Jefferson High School where he was a football star and a member of the graduating class of 1953. After high school graduation he served in the army stationed in South Korea, came home, and graduated from East Texas Baptist College with a degree in accounting. Soon after graduation, he married Geraldine Marie Webster, the mother of his daughters .  Jiggs spent most of his life in and around Marion and Harrison Counties. He has always been described by close friends as easy going, an honorable man of his word, and a hard worker. He liked history and he loved to watch the TV shows Gunsmoke and Andy Griffin. Jiggs was much loved by all who knew him and all would agree that "He was one of a kind".

James "Jiggs" Edward Allen was preceded in death by his parents, Earnest Alexander Allen and Verna Mae Allen; daughter Joni James Allen Bumgarner; and his sisters, Francis Jewel Fason and Dorothy Rae Whatley.

Jiggs is survived by his wife of forty years, Sandra "Sandi" Fraizer Allen, and their son, James E Allen Jr and wife, Elizabeth Morgan Allen. He is also survived by daughter, Penni Dawn Johnson; stepchildren, Lonnie James Strickland, Frank Shawn Strickland, Stephanie Ann Walters and James Leland Strickland; 11 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Other survivors include brothers, Earnest A. Allen Jr and wife, Bobbie L Allen, and Clifton Don Allen and wife Karen E. Allen, brothers-in-law, Mildred Olen Fason, and Tom Bill Whatley as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The family requests no flowers, but if you wish to honor his life, you may send an appropriate gift to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.