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Submitted: 1/22/22 • Approved: 2/9/22 • Last Updated: 2/12/22 • R1414589-G0-S3
November 30, 1934 - February 22, 2021
Carl Bently Allen was born in his home in Guy, Arkansas on November 30, 1934. He was the fifth of six children born to the late Herbert and Mary (Banister) Allen. Bently left this earth in his home in Paris, Arkansas on February 22, 2021. He leaves a strong legacy of being a husband, father, grandfather, teacher, director, church deacon, guideon, mentor, and friend.
Bently graduated high school and attended Arkansas State Teachers College (UCA today) where he completed his Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education (Math in the Spring of 1957, The school randomly assigned him a student teaching position in Paris, AR, a place he had never heard of. However, upon arrival, he never left. He was hired for the following school year in 1958 teaching 7th grade Math and Science. While living in a rooming house near the school, his "house mom" introduced him to his future wife, Carolyn, as her parents lived next door. They were married in August of 1959. Bently taught in the Paris public school system for 40 years -eventually teaching most of the upper division math classes such as Algebra I, II, III, and Trigonometry. His love of his students was evident and he was always willing to stay before and after school to help those who asked for it.
Not only a teacher, but also Bently became passionate about coaching. He started coaching all 7th grade sports and LOVED competition! An avid Razorback and Paris Eagle fan, he continuously cheered for and supported his favorite teams. His love for sports led him to become the director of the city's summer sports program in 1959 and through a long series of events he led the charge for the organization to obtain their charter from the Boys Club of America in 1964. There is an article by Jim Best describing this transformation on residentpress.com. He stayed on as director of the Paris Boys Club for 12 more years and then resigned to spend his next 12 summers as the director of the Youth Conservation Corps on Mount Magazine.
After retiring from teaching, Bently still continued to serve his community. He volunteered at the Community Outreach Services building; served faithfully in his church, tutored at the Boys and Girls Club, and participated in the Mount Magazine Action Group. He and Carolyn were awarded countless teaching and community service awards including the 2016 Paris Chamber of Commerce Humanitarians of the Year.
Bently was beloved by most everyone he came in contact with but most especially his family. He is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Carolyn (Leek) Allen; daughter Holly Spencer and her husband Bret of Fort Smith, AR; and daughter Leslie Watts and her husband Phil of Greenwood, AR. The light of his life were his two grandsons, Jake and Clay Watts of Rogers, AR and his two granddaughters, Jordan Spencer of Little Rock, Ar and Ashton Spencer of Searcy, AR. He is also survived by his dear sister, Myra Griffith, of Conway, AR and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents and siblings Avanelle Squires, Marcelle Fielder, Rayburn Allen, and Nelson Allen.
Funeral services will be held under the direction of Roller Funeral Home at the First Baptist Church in Paris, AR on Friday, February 26th at 2:00pm with a private family burial at Oakwood Cemetery immediately following, COVID restrictions will apply and masks are required. Pallbearers are Michael Allen, Scott Allen, Heath Allen, Cody Allen, Rick Trusty, and Eric Wells. Honorary pallbearers are Coach Jordan Devine and the Lady Eagle Volleyball Team (past and present).
Contributed on 1/22/22 by billsully060
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Record #: 1414589