Fulton C. Mr. Allen

Ocean Isle Beach - Mr. Fulton Coleman Allen passed away peacefully on September 12, 2014 at the age of 93. Mr. Allen, a native of Anson County, lived in and loved Wadesboro. He was born there August 27, 1921 to the late Dr. Charles Insley Allen and late Louise Lambeth Allen. 'Fully' as he was called, was the second of five children. He was preceded in death by his sisters Effie Allen Tillman and Annabel Allen Stanback as well as his brothers Dr. Charles Insley Allen, Jr. and Burgess Medley Allen. Fully was called 'F.C.' by some, but always 'Fully Darl'in' by his loving and dedicated wife of 70 years, Patricia Teal Allen, who survives him at 92 years of age. Fulton Allen graduated from Wadesboro High School in 1939, where he was student body President his senior year. He went on to receive a degree in Textiles from North Carolina State University in 1943, where he was also enrolled in the ROTC Program. Fully graduated from NC State during the heat of World War II, which resulted in his assignment after graduation to Fort Benning Georgia's Officer Candidacy School and graduation as a 2nd Lieutenant. But before leaving for 'over there,' he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Patricia Bruton Teal - 'Pat,' on December 18, 1943. Fully was deployed to Europe in January, 1944 as part of the 66th Army Division. He was in one of two 66th Division transport ships crossing the English Channel on December 24, 1944, heading towards the Battle of the Bulge, when the second ship was torpedoed. Fully's ship maneuvered through the attack to a port in France where he disembarked to serve with honor. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for exemplary conduct in group combat while assigned as 2nd Lieutenant to the 263rd Infantry Regimen. When Fully returned from war, he restarted a business previously initiated by his father, making orthopedic medical textiles. The business started in a small way in his home, but through the expansion of clients and products, grew to the size requiring a larger, manufacturing plant that he built in Wadesboro. The company, called Little Manufacturing Company, was acquired by a national corporation, Zimmer Company, which was then later acquired by Bristol Myers. Fully retired from Bristol Myers in 1980. Fully was a Deacon at First Baptist Church of Wadesboro and a devoted member for most of his life. He attended the men's Sunday School Class for many years. He was a member of the Anson Historical Society and served on several boards over the years, including Anson Bank and Trust and West Knitting Mills. Fully was a man of many interests and talents. On weekends he would walk the fields of his beloved Anson County looking for arrow heads and other Indian artifacts. His framed arrowhead collection is currently housed at the Anson County Museum in Wadesboro. He was an avid scuba diver for much of his life, embarking on this sport when they were still called 'frogmen' and even snorkeling into his 80's. He was an active member of the NC Skin Diving Council, and served for many years as the Council's Secretary. He loved to play his guitar and shared his love of music with his children and grandchildren. One of his favorite musicians was Blind Boy Fuller (another 'Fulton Allen' who also grew up in Anson County). Fully was also an artist, drawing and painting, and he also enjoyed golf, a sport he picked up in his 50's. He loved swimming and the outdoor life at Ocean Isle Beach, where he had a second home that he and his wife eventually made their permanent residence. But above all, he loved dancing with his wife Pat and his children Tricia, Fulton and all of the grandchildren. He loved to spend time with the many wonderful and supportive friends and family that he and his wife Pat were blessed to have over their 90+ years as well as Rev. John Causey at Shallotte Presbyterian Church who blessed the family with his visits and prayers. But most importantly, Fulton Allen was a man who never thought about himself and always about the needs of others. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. For Pat and 'Fully-Darl'in,' even after 70 years of marriage, everyday was Valentine's Day. Fully will be remembered as someone who demonstrates the power of a quiet, caring demeanor and a lifelong dedication to what is good and right. Fully is survived by his wife, Pat, and two devoted and loving children: Patricia Allen Estes and husband Robert L. Estes, and Fulton Allen Jr, and wife Debra Sittmann Allen and his four grandchildren: Christina Allen Estes Bunch and husband 2nd Lieutenant Wendell Holms Bunch, Fulton Coleman Allen III, Robert Allen Estes and Carston Alexander Teal Allen and many beloved nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at Shallotte Presbyterian Church in Shallotte, N.C. at 11:00am on Friday September 19th, 2014. A funeral service will be held at Leavitt Funeral Home in Wadesboro, NC on Saturday September 20th at 2:00pm. The family will greet friends prior to the funeral on Saturday beginning at 1:00pm. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Wadesboro, PO Box 423, Wadesboro, N.C. 28170; or to Shallotte Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 3256 Shallotte, NC 28459; or to Heartland Hospice, 1500 Main St., Conway, SC 29526.