Herschel Timothy Allen, 89, of Melrose, Fla., passed away Sunday, December 20th, 2020, at Community Hospice. The youngest of four siblings, he was born in Fernandina to the late Howell Theron and Ola Del Freeman Allen.

Herschel served in the Navy during the Korean Conflict onboard the USS Doyle, a destroyer used during the war as the set for the 1954 movie � The Cain Mutiny, starring Humphrey Bogart.

In 1965, Herschel married Martha Elizabeth Hawkins, of Odenville, Ala. She passed away just a few weeks ago, on November 17th. December 5th would have been their 55th anniversary.

In 1993, after 44 years of service, Herschel retired from the WestRock paper mill (known then as Smurfit-Stone Container) and relocated to Melrose, Fla.

Herschel touched many lives and was a dedicated and active Christian. He served for many years as a deacon between First Baptist Church in Fernandina and Trinity Baptist Church in Keystone Heights. Herschel most enjoyed working with his hands and helping others.

Mr. Allen was preceded in death by his brother, Norman Lee Allen, and sister, Margaret Allen McKee. On December 9th, just a few days ago, his remaining sister, Joyce Louise Allen, passed away.

Herschel leaves behind his son, Dr. Kevin Allen (Christy), of McDonough, Ga.; grandchildren, Sydney and Ashton; niece, Peg McKee Granger; nephews, Roy McKee, Dr. Tim McKee, and John Allen; several great-nieces and nephews; and even great-great-nieces and nephews.



Services for Mr. Allen are scheduled for 11:00 AM at Trinity Baptist Church in Keystone Heights on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 with visitation following at Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors in Fernandina Beach at 2:00 PM before being laid to rest in Bosque Bello Cemetery in Fernandina Beach.