Bob Allen

Coleman Funeral Home of Olive Branch

Robert Carl Allen, known to all as Bob, was born on October 26, 1934, in Cockrum, Mississippi, to Carl Cochran Allen and Ruth Maxwell Allen. He later made his home in Olive Branch, Mississippi, where he lived, worked, and built a life defined by kindness, curiosity, and unwavering devotion to those he loved.

From an early age, Bob was known for his inquisitive nature. His mother often said that by the age of three, he already knew everything she knew, because he was constantly asking "why." That curiosity followed him throughout his life, shaping the thoughtful, patient, and capable man he became.

As a young man, Bob began his working life on a dairy farm that he owned, where he learned the value of hard work and responsibility. He later became General Manager of Allen Ford in Olive Branch, a business owned by his beloved older brother, Tom, who was also Bob's best friend. Bob was deeply respected and well loved by everyone who worked with him at Allen Ford and later at AutoZone Corporate in downtown Memphis. Wherever he worked, Bob built lasting friendships grounded in trust, kindness, and quiet leadership.

One of the most meaningful relationships of Bob's life was with his brother Tom Allen who was 17 years older than Bob. The two shared an unbreakable bond. When their mother became ill and entered a nursing home in Collierville, Bob and Tom visited her every day-before work in the morning and again in the evening-never wavering in their devotion.

But Most of all, Bob loved his wife, Barbara Dean Allen, and his family. Their life together began after Bob noticed the breathtaking Barbara Dean Russell riding a horse at a horse show while he watched his nieces compete. Their first date was a blind date, one that led to a lifelong marriage filled with love, devotion, humor, and partnership and 4 Charming sons, 4 Grandsons, 2 Granddaughters and 1 Great-Granddaughter.

While Barbara Dean worked as a nurse from 3:00 to 11:00pm at the hospital, Bob made sure there was always something nice prepared for supper when she came home, though she occasionally had to make a few things taste better after he left the kitchen. In retirement, he proudly became "head cook and dish washer" at home and did a fine job.

After five years of trying, Bob and Barbara Dean welcomed their youngest son, Russell Cochran Allen. His older brothers, Mike Smith and David Smith, who were 17 and 18 years old at the time adored him and would bring girls from the high school at their lunchtime to see the baby. Bob was a wonderful father to all his boys-easygoing, loving, patient, and always present. He was also a loving grandfather who treasured his grandchildren and the time he spent with them.

Bob had a warm sense of humor and a generous heart. He loved going to the Supper Club and made a personal hobby of trying to stop Barbara Dean from going to Chico's-usually unsuccessfully. He was crazy about her friends and treated them like his own, just as he did his coworkers and lifelong friends.

Bob will be remembered as a gentle, loving, and faithful man-a devoted husband, a wonderful father, a loyal brother, and a trusted friend. His legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the friendships he nurtured, and the many lives he touched simply by being himself.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth Maxwell Allen and Carl Cochran Allen; son, Robert Carl Allen and David Smith; granddaughter, Shannon Smith; and his brother, Tom Allen.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara Dean Allen of Olive Branch; sons, Russell Allen (Abby) of Bridgetown, and Mike Smith (Wynette) of Enid; grandchildren, Daniel Smith (Tanner), Jackson Allen, Mason Allen, Lyla Murdock, Oakley Jenkins; and great-granddaughter, Henley Smith.

Friends are invited to a visitation with the family on Friday, February 13, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Coleman Funeral Home of Olive Branch. A memorial service will follow at 4:00 p.m. Bro. Jerrod Brooks of First Baptist Church will officiate.

In lieu of traditional flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.

Online condolences may be made at www.colemanfuneralhomeob.com.