Charles "Allen" Medlen

Lexington, South Carolina – Charles "Allen" Medlen, a devoted and deeply loved husband, father and PaPa was welcomed into Heaven while peacefully surrounded by his family, August 23, 2025.

Allen was born in Columbia, SC on April 26, 1951, to the late Charles Randolph Medlen and Wessie Johnson Medlen.

Allen spent most of his childhood in West Columbia under the doting eye of his grandparents: Clarendon W. Medlen (PaPa) and Burley Kyzer Medlen (MaMa). His grandparents doted on all of their five children and 19 grandchildren. Allen's fondest childhood memories were the gatherings of aunts, uncles and cousins at his grandparents. Allen learned about unconditional love by how his grandparents lived and loved others.

Allen attended most of his years at Brookland Cayce High School then graduated from Airport High School and attended Midlands Technical College. He worked in the structural steel industry for over 50 years. He worked with his dad most of those 50 years.

Allen's grandparents influenced his strong faith in God and family. He was a Promise Keeper and enjoyed traveling to PK Conference and volunteering for the Columbia conferences.

During his faith journey, Allen served as an elder, Presbyterian men's group president, and a head usher for many years. He was a member of the Saturday Morning Men's Bible Study Group for over 30 years.

Allen is survived by his wife and best friend, Kathy, of 51 years; daughter, Mary-Kathryn (Mike) Lockman; granddaughter, his precious, Parker-Grace; most loved nephew and fishing buddy, Chris (Marie) Carroll. Extended family members, Brenda Lovvorn, Aaron (Vanessa) Brown, Vanezza (Thomas) Seastrunk, Larry (Dottie) Gainey, Tanesha Reese, Breck Cronise, Linda Lamb, Zachary Carroll, Eric Carroll, Abby and Emily Carroll.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to: Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church Youth Ministry, 5503 Sunset Blvd., Lexington, SC 29072.