James H. "Boots" ALLEN

ALLEN, Mr. James H. "Boots," born December 8, 1924, has upon his death on October 29, 2009, fulfilled his last wish by donating his body to the Virginia Department of Health's State Anatomical Program. His wishes have been granted by his three daughters and their families; Brenda A. Gay and "Bubba," Jeanette A. Wrenn and Dwight and Stacy A. Holloway and "Skeeter," all of Emporia. Standing beside them are Boots' grandchildren, Choe B. Huskey and John, Dustin H. Wrenn, Sara M. Gay and "Billy" and Kaitlin R. Holloway; and his one great-grandchild, Gage Daniels, all of Emporia. Also cherishing his memory is his lifelong friend and mother of his children, Gertrude A. Allen; his brother, Calvin R. Allen; his sisters, Lucille A. Cooke, all of Emporia, Katherine A. Perry of North Carolina and Geneva A. Allen of Arkansas. Also, upon the wishes of Boots, there will be no funeral service held. At the invitation of family, please join them in a "Celebration for Boots" on Sunday, November 1, 2009 at Owen Funeral Home, 303 S. Halifax Rd. in Jarratt, from 2 to 5 p.m. The family has requested no flowers be sent, but at your wish, monetary donations may be made to the Greensville Volunteer Rescue Squad in Boots' memory, where he was a charter member, or to the Lifestar Ambulance Inc. in Emporia. These two organizations administered outstanding medical services to Boots during his illness.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.