MERIDIAN —



    Funeral services for Rufus David Allen Sr., 75, of Butler will be held today at 2 p.m.. from the Butler First Assembly of God with the Rev. Scottie Fulcher and the Rev. Jimmy Watson officiating. Burial will follow in the Rest Haven Memorial Gardens.

    Mr. Allen passed away Wednesday at Willow Trace Nursing Center in Butler. He was a retired pipefitter for Georgia Pacific in Pennington. He was also a U.S. Army Veteran.

    Survivors include his son Rufus David “Buddy” Allen, Jr. (Dana) of Niceville, Fla.; daughters Cheryl McBride (Dwight) of Butler; Paula Tyson (Rodney) of Butler; Janet Lewis (Mike) of Butler; stepson Sloan Caudle (Rhonda) of Tuscaloosa; stepdaughter Kelli Brownlee (Carl) of Butler; sister Esther Reynolds of Texas; grandchildren David Skinner (Becky); Brian Skinner; Roy Vice (Amber); Josh Allen; Benjamin McBride; Kate Allen; Justin Lewis (Tara); Josh Brownlee; Josh Tyson (Amanda); Rayney Caudle; Jordan Brownlee; Loren Caudle; and Jackson Brownlee; great grandchildren Kaleb Lewis; Katie Tyson; Sarah Beth Lewis; and Hayden Vice.

    He was preceded in death by his parents Jim and Artie Allen; wife Esther Jones Allen and wife Geraldine Caudle Allen; granddaughter Mary Kate Caudle; four brothers and one sister.

    Pallbearers are David Skinner, Brian Skinner, Roy Vice, Josh Allen, Benjamin McBride, Justin Lewis, Josh Brownlee, Josh Tyson, Jordan Brownlee, and Jackson Brownlee.

    Honorary Pallbearers are Roy Coody, Nelson Phillips, Gary Cooper, Doug Jacobs, Bill Allen, and Bill Rogers.

    The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Willow Trace Nursing Center and to Southern Care Hospice for their tender loving care and dedication.

    In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Butler First Assembly Building Fund at P.O. Box 452, Butler, Ala., 36904 or to Butler First Baptist Building Fund at P.O. Box 300, Butler, Ala. 36904.

    Visit bumpersfuneralhome.com to sign the online register and post condolences to the family. Bumpers Funeral Home of Butler will be in charge of arrangements.