Rev. Alvin Joel Allen, age 78, of Spindale, NC, died Friday, November 25, 2022, at Mission Hospitals in Asheville, NC.  Alvin was the son of the late Dutch & Ruby Harrill Allen and a native of Rutherford County.  He was a  U S Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War and flew reconnaissance missions over enemy countries.  Alvin loved baseball and the game of golf and was an avid photographer.  He worked for the Town of Forest City Police as a dispatcher for a number of years.  Alvin was a graduate of East High School; Baptist Bible College, Springfield Missouri; Covington Theological Seminary in Georgia.   He was called into the ministry and served for 50 years.  He was a church planter first in Pocatello Idaho.  He was interim pastor at Drury Dobbins, Gray's Creek and Shiloh Baptist Churches. Alvin was currently serving as the pastor of Oak Springs Baptist Church.  He is preceded in death by sisters; Deanna Dills & Judy Allen; a brother Sidney Allen.

He is survived by his wife, Judith Melton Allen, his daughter Ami Marie Allen of San Diego CA, five sisters, Nancy Frady (H. L. deceased), Brenda McEntire (Jeff), Sara Sheppard (Wayne), Hannah Jolley (Randy), and Kathy Houser (Philip), two brothers, George Allen (Camellia), and James Allen (Sherry), brother-in-laws, Jerry Melton (Jane), and Charlie Dills.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, Tuesday prior the funeral at the church.  The funeral service will be Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at  2:00 PM at Oak Springs Baptist Church with Reverend Kevin Rohm and Reverend Anton Roos officiating.  Interment will be at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery, Ellenboro, NC with Reverend Sidney Calhoun officiating.  The Rutherford County Honor Guard will provide military honors.  Memorials may be made to Oak Springs Baptist Church; 2501 Rock Rd Rutherfordton, NC 28139. An online guest register is available at www.mcmahansfuneralhome.com. McMahan's Funeral Home & Cremation Services in charge of arrangements.