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Raymond Allen Obituary
Raymond Fulton Allen Sr.
April 13, 1938 - September 27, 2022
Raymond F. Allen Sr. of Roanoke, Va., went with Jesus, the Lord, whom he dedicated his life to serve at 2:45 on Tuesday morning, September 27, 2022.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 65 years, Ann Cobb Allen; his children, Ann Cranwell (Dean), Ray Allen Jr. (Melinda), and Katie Forbish (Larry); his grandchildren, Michael Cranwell (Danielle), Becca Ormont (Greg), Katelyn Forbish (Yered), Jennifer Allen, and Matthew Allen; and great-grandchildren, Nolan and Isla Cranwell, and Goldie Ormont.
Ray grew up in central and southwest Virginia where he spent his childhood hammering nails into anything he could find; chasing his nine siblings; spending time with his beloved collie, Rex; and his absolute favorite activity, fishing. He excelled in school, though he was distracted by a beautiful girl named Ann Cobb, his wife-to-be who he met in the first grade.
Ray proudly served his country in the United States Army, 101st Airborne. His work as a helicopter mechanic and later as an instructor were his first opportunities to develop his speaking and leadership skills.
After his service, Ray heard the Lord's calling to become a fisher of men. He and Ann moved to Richmond, Virginia, to attend the University of Richmond, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religion. Ray continued to serve University of Richmond for years as a member of the Board of Trustees and an unofficial, passionate recruiter for the school. Earning his Master of Ministry from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary led him to continue his education with a Doctor of Divinity at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His beloved Alma Mater, the University of Richmond, awarded him a Doctor of Divinity as well.
As an ordained minister for over 62 years, Ray served churches and people throughout Virginia. He was Senior Pastor to Wise Baptist Church, Cosby Memorial Baptist Church, and Blacksburg Baptist Church, where he is honored as Pastor Emeritus. He helped many churches as an Interim Minister in his retirement. In all these churches, he was pastor, counselor, mentor, and friend to many.
His passion for mission work became international in 1980. In the former Czechoslovakia, he worked with government officials on drafting their new constitution to include freedom of religion. Ray brought the Constitution of Virginia to use as the model. After the first of his 18 trips to India, his work there became a 42-year long mission. While in India he worked to start an orphanage, many churches, and a seminary where the library is named in his honor. Ray and his mission teams not only served the spiritual needs of the people, but the physical needs as well. He led teams that included medical professionals, agricultural and animal science professors, construction and plumbing masters, as well as other dedicated workers.
As an author, Ray published several books, "How to be a Christian Happy and Successful; Our Common Faith; Arms Reaching Around the World; Light from the East; and My Racket: How It Worked Out." His books were published in many languages from Spanish to Malayalam and are utilized in ministries throughout the world.
Our father was a man of many titles, Reverend, Doctor, missionary, counselor, humanitarian, speaker, author, husband, father, grandfather, and expert angler. He shared God and Jesus, his stories, and his wisdom with family and friends, and was proud of his many roles in life. Yet, he often shared with us that of all the titles he had or earned in his life, his favorites were Daddy and Granddaddy.
A Memorial Service will be conducted at 12 noon on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at Vinton Baptist Church, 219 E. Washington Ave., Vinton, Va., with Pastor Bill Ross officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 until 8 p.m. on Friday, September 30, 2022, at Vinton Baptist Church, Vinton.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to India Vision Initiative (IVI), 173 Cardinal CT, Pittsboro, NC 27312. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.Oakeys.com.
Arrangements by Oakey's Funeral Service – Vinton Chapel, Vinton, Va., (540) 982-2221.
April 13, 1938 - September 27, 2022
Raymond F. Allen Sr. of Roanoke, Va., went with Jesus, the Lord, whom he dedicated his life to serve at 2:45 on Tuesday morning, September 27, 2022.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 65 years, Ann Cobb Allen; his children, Ann Cranwell (Dean), Ray Allen Jr. (Melinda), and Katie Forbish (Larry); his grandchildren, Michael Cranwell (Danielle), Becca Ormont (Greg), Katelyn Forbish (Yered), Jennifer Allen, and Matthew Allen; and great-grandchildren, Nolan and Isla Cranwell, and Goldie Ormont.
Ray grew up in central and southwest Virginia where he spent his childhood hammering nails into anything he could find; chasing his nine siblings; spending time with his beloved collie, Rex; and his absolute favorite activity, fishing. He excelled in school, though he was distracted by a beautiful girl named Ann Cobb, his wife-to-be who he met in the first grade.
Ray proudly served his country in the United States Army, 101st Airborne. His work as a helicopter mechanic and later as an instructor were his first opportunities to develop his speaking and leadership skills.
After his service, Ray heard the Lord's calling to become a fisher of men. He and Ann moved to Richmond, Virginia, to attend the University of Richmond, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religion. Ray continued to serve University of Richmond for years as a member of the Board of Trustees and an unofficial, passionate recruiter for the school. Earning his Master of Ministry from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary led him to continue his education with a Doctor of Divinity at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His beloved Alma Mater, the University of Richmond, awarded him a Doctor of Divinity as well.
As an ordained minister for over 62 years, Ray served churches and people throughout Virginia. He was Senior Pastor to Wise Baptist Church, Cosby Memorial Baptist Church, and Blacksburg Baptist Church, where he is honored as Pastor Emeritus. He helped many churches as an Interim Minister in his retirement. In all these churches, he was pastor, counselor, mentor, and friend to many.
His passion for mission work became international in 1980. In the former Czechoslovakia, he worked with government officials on drafting their new constitution to include freedom of religion. Ray brought the Constitution of Virginia to use as the model. After the first of his 18 trips to India, his work there became a 42-year long mission. While in India he worked to start an orphanage, many churches, and a seminary where the library is named in his honor. Ray and his mission teams not only served the spiritual needs of the people, but the physical needs as well. He led teams that included medical professionals, agricultural and animal science professors, construction and plumbing masters, as well as other dedicated workers.
As an author, Ray published several books, "How to be a Christian Happy and Successful; Our Common Faith; Arms Reaching Around the World; Light from the East; and My Racket: How It Worked Out." His books were published in many languages from Spanish to Malayalam and are utilized in ministries throughout the world.
Our father was a man of many titles, Reverend, Doctor, missionary, counselor, humanitarian, speaker, author, husband, father, grandfather, and expert angler. He shared God and Jesus, his stories, and his wisdom with family and friends, and was proud of his many roles in life. Yet, he often shared with us that of all the titles he had or earned in his life, his favorites were Daddy and Granddaddy.
A Memorial Service will be conducted at 12 noon on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at Vinton Baptist Church, 219 E. Washington Ave., Vinton, Va., with Pastor Bill Ross officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 until 8 p.m. on Friday, September 30, 2022, at Vinton Baptist Church, Vinton.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to India Vision Initiative (IVI), 173 Cardinal CT, Pittsboro, NC 27312. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.Oakeys.com.
Arrangements by Oakey's Funeral Service – Vinton Chapel, Vinton, Va., (540) 982-2221.
Published by Roanoke Times on Sep. 29, 2022.
Memories and Condolences
for Raymond Allen
Sponsored by Oakey’s Vinton Chapel.
1 Entry
Jo Alderman
September 29, 2022
I, my sister and my Mother traveled to the Holy Land with Dr Allen in 1985-an absolutely wonderful trip. Dr. Allen was a treasured friend. My deepest sympathy to all his family. Jo Alderman
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