Otis Hayden Allen, Jr.

Otis “Hayden” Allen Jr., 83, of Asheboro, passed away Saturday, September 20, 2025 at Alpine Health and Rehabilitation in Asheboro.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 26, 2025, at Ridge Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Thomas Smith officiating. A private burial will be held at Richland Baptist Church Cemetery.

Born August 18, 1942 in Guilford County, North Carolina, Mr. Allen was the son of the late Otis Hayden Allen, Sr., and Ernestine Troxler Allen.

Hayden was a 1961 graduate of Asheboro High School and was a member of Richland Baptist Church. His family was his priority. He was a quiet man full of talent, love and devotion.

He was self-employed restoring and reproducing antique furniture. He was a true artist with wood and had a passion in true conservation and reproductions. Creating beautiful, highly detailed pieces out of wood was not only an occupation but his favorite thing to do. Depending on what the piece was, he enjoyed creating a reproduction (or new piece) better than restoring. While employed by Old Salem in 1969-1970, Hayden made several pieces to provide families with a true reproduction of the original which had been donated to MESDA (Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts). When asked his favorite piece he had ever made, he said he had several he really liked but his very favorite isn’t done yet.

Antique furniture was not Hayden's only passion. He was an accomplished archer, winning state championships with a hunting bow (compound bow). He enjoyed target archery and later in his career transitioned to the craft of making bows and arrows along with collecting antique style archery equipment. As someone who enjoyed outdoor photography, wildlife was his favorite subject. As a hunter, Montana was his favorite place to visit.

Hayden is survived by his wife of 63 years, Brenda Bullins Allen; daughter, Tina Allen Bailey (David Blemker, and his children, Annie Blemker McGarrity and Molly Blemker), granddaughter, Katie Bailey Thompson (Daniel Thompson); great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Thompson and Peyton Thompson; brother, Charles L. Allen (Sandra J. Allen); niece, Amber Allen Bruner (David); nephews, Lee Allen (Mary Burt) and Todd Allen

The family will receive friends from 1:00 - 1:45 p.m. at Ridge Funeral Home on Friday prior to the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to: Richland Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 2323 Old Humble Mill Road, Asheboro, NC 27205.

The family would like to thank the dedicated staff at Alpine Health and Rehabilitation of Asheboro for their exceptional care and support.