Allen

Walter Eugene Allen, 90, of Pittsburg, Texas passed away at his residence on March 6, 2016. Walter was born August 21, 1925 on a small farm near Wylie. He was the youngest of eight children born to John Claude Allen and Elizabeth Elvire Odil Allen. His earliest memories include scratching out a meager existence off the farmland during the great depression. Two days before his 18th birthday Walter joined the United States Marine Corps and served in the South Pacific through the duration of World War II. Upon returning to the States he met the love of his life, Billie Joy Metcalf. An even more significant meeting was his encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ and his life was totally transformed. He and Billie Joy were engaged on August 17, 1946, he was baptized on the following day and they sealed the deal in marriage on January 17, 1947. From that point on for the next thirteen years they worked through the requirements for appointment to the Foreign Mission Board (now IMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention. During those years three children were born to them, John Vernon, Lizabeth and Walter Metcalf. God miraculously opened doors and carried them through the process and they set sail for Africa on March 1, 1961. Walter served many roles, the chief being field evangelist in three countries of East Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, over a span of thirty years. For an interlude of eight years, they remained in East Texas due to the medical needs of their youngest son, Walt. During this time Walter pastured at Piney Grove from 1976 through 1984, then they returned to their beloved Africa to continue their ministry. Their final retirement from the IMB was in 1991 and they resettled on their home place near Pittsburg. Walter has lived out the remainder of his years serving in multiple churches, pulpit supply, missions speaker and yes, even Chaplain in the American Legion Post 422, Pittsburg, all the while enjoying the delight of planting seeds and watching the miracle of new life. We rejoice now in the new life he shares with Jesus through eternity. Walter is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Billie Joy Metcalf Allen of Pittsburg and his three children, son, John Vernon Allen and wife, Evelyn Combs Allen of Italy, Texas and step children and grandchildren; son, Walter Metcalf Allen of Dallas, Texas and daughter, Lizabeth Allen Haefs and husband Wesley David Haefs of Pittsburg and their children, Christina Garret and husband, Craig and 5 children, Joylynn Blake and husband Todd and 4 children and David Haefs and wife Ali and 5 children. Walter Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, John Claude Allen and Elizabeth Elvire Odil Allen, his 4 brothers, Owen, Grady, George and Odil and his 3 sisters, Viola, Hannah Bell and Pauline. A visitation will be held for Walter on Thursday, March 10, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. at Piney Grover Baptist Church in Leesburg, Texas. The Memorial service will be begin at 2:00 P.M. with Brother Wes Haefs and Brother Perry Shirley officiating. Interment will be held at the Wylie Cemetery on Monday March 14, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers donations may be given to any one of the 3 passions of his life. 1. IMB, Richmond, Virginia (Lottie Moon) 2. Piney Grove Baptist Church (Building Fund) 4942 FM 2455, Leesburg, Texas 75451 3. G.O.A.L. Ministries, House of Refuge, 627 W. Collin Street, Corsicana, Texas 75686 Funeral services are under the direction of Allen Funeral Home.