May God bless you and your...
Thanks Randy for all the help and friendship you gave me over the years. My deepest sympathy to the family of a man with a big hearth.
Dennis Davis
August 01, 2025 | Piedmont, SC | Friend
Photo courtesy of Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory - Shelby
Jan 10, 1962 - Jul 22, 2025
Thanks Randy for all the help and friendship you gave me over the years. My deepest sympathy to the family of a man with a big hearth.
Dennis Davis
August 01, 2025 | Piedmont, SC | Friend
You have my deepest sympathy and having seen Randy at BKI many times, he always was a polite gentleman. He may not have known everyone's name but he respected your work and you could truly tell how he loved his job and he knew our equipment. I am so glad to have known him. My thoughts are with the family that I know who's hearts are breaking.
Pearl Mays
July 31, 2025 | Simpsonville, SC | Acquaintance
Kevin, I am so sorry to hear of Randy’s passing. Pancreatic cancer is a difficult journey. I pray that God may bring comfort to your family as you grieve the loss of your brother. I still remember passing by the Allen house, every time I would visit Aunt Oveda and Uncle JM. Good times growing up in Shelby, for sure. I don’t come that way often since my parents are gone, except for the occasional run to Alston’s for BBQ.
I am still working at FUMC-Gastonia but I have finally graduated...
Becky Blanton Greene
July 27, 2025 | Gastonia, NC | Classmate
Eric and Patti Thornton, may God bless you and your family and provide you with peace and comfort.
Eric Thornton
July 26, 2025 | Goodlettsville, TN | Friend
It was a blessing knowing Mr. Allen. He could make you laugh or "light up the room" per say. He had a generous side to him as well. I know Cathy will miss him deeply. Prayers are being lifted up for the family in the days ahead-
Heather Brackett
July 25, 2025 | Shelby, NC | Acquaintance
Cathy and Family,
I am sorry to hear of Randy’s passing. While I never met him, I have enjoyed hearing the stories from Cathy of just how much he loved his family, and how much they loved him. I pray that as time goes on you all can feel peace in knowing he is no longer sick and in pain.
Leslie Craft
July 25, 2025 | Dallas, NC | Friend
I will miss you my friend.
David Bethea
July 25, 2025 | Greenville, SC | Friend
The hard struggle is over.
Rest in Peace with our Lord Jesus.
Blessed Condolences to your family.
Nancy Zaludek Bengali
Nancy Zaludek Bengali
July 24, 2025 | The Villages, FL | Family
I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family
Reva Haynes
July 24, 2025 | Clyde, NC
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Randy Shelley Allen, who was born on January 10, 1962, in Greenwood, SC, and died on July 22, 2025, at Hospice of Wendover in Shelby, NC. Randy fought a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer since January 2024.
Randy's calling to serve came in the form of food service, both professionally and personally. He was well-known for his phenomenal and top-secret roast beef recipe, a dish he lovingly prepared and shared with countless families during times of need, mourning, celebration, and joy.
Randy dedicated his career to sales and the food service industry and was considered the best in his field. He was the Northeast Director of Sales for Standex (BKI) Cooking Solutions before transferring to The Middleby Corporation, where he became the Vice President of Business Development for Retail. Randy rounded out his career as President of Printing and Packaging, Inc. and Printcraft Company, Inc.
Randy had a passion for excellent food, travel, and spending time with good company. He had the gift of gab, albeit with a heavy dose of sarcasm, and rest assured, he would never- “make a long story short.”
A lifelong resident of Shelby, NC, Randy attended Shelby High School, graduating with the class of 1980. During his teenage years, he worked as a summer lifeguard at Shelby City Park, where he met numerous people and forged lasting friendships. In high school, Randy was an active member of both the band and the swim team. Randy was a troop patrol leader of the Boy Scout Troop #104 and was one merit badge shy of becoming an Eagle Scout.
A member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Randy was also an active participant in the Methodist Men's Association for years. Randy was a member of the Rotary International Club in Forest City and served as its president in 1987.
Randy was a Master Mason at the Cleveland County Masonic Lodge #744, where he served as Master of the Lodge twice and was the founder of the Lodge’s bereavement committee. Randy was honored with the title of Mason of the Year in May 2025.
Above all, Randy cherished his family. In 2006, Randy married his wife of almost 20 years, Cathy. He especially enjoyed spending long weekends with her in Asheville or Greenville. He loved hosting holiday dinners with Cathy and spending time with his grandchildren, who were truly the light of his life.
Randy adored his daughters, Cortlan and Caroline, and took pride in ensuring that they were well-traveled. Of all the places they traveled, he relished the time they spent in New York City the most, often reminding them, "There's nothing in the world like New York at Christmastime." Of all his accomplishments, his daughters were his proudest achievement.
Randy was preceded in death by his father, James Platt Allen, and his mother and stepfather, Joan and Boyce Hanna.
Left to cherish Randy's memory are his wife, Catherine (Cathy) Allen; his daughters and grandchildren, Cortlan Zaludek and her husband, Jake, (Jack, Max, Avery) of Sunset Beach, NC, and Caroline Thebeau and her husband, Dan, (Platt, Abbott) of Myrtle Beach, SC. and stepson Shane Greene and wife Ashley (Rylee, Toby) of Dallas, NC. Randy is also survived by his four siblings: Altman Ann Allen Anderson (Richard), Ginger Whitehead (Danny), Kevin Allen (Judy), and his twin brother, Sandy (Pam), along with several nieces and nephews and many special friends.
The family will receive friends at Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory on Friday, July 25, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A celebration of Mr. Allen’s life and full Masonic Rites will be held on Saturday, July 26, at 11:00 am at Aldersgate United Methodist Church with Reverend Dr. Jeff Patterson officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Cemetery immediately following the funeral.
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