Rev. Bob Allen

Rev. Robert “Bob” Allen, 76, of Union entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at home surrounded by his family. He was born on December 13, 1949, in Columbia, South Carolina to the late Robert Barr and Barbara Werner Allen. Bob attended West Georgia College and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College earning a degree in forestry. He worked at Collum’s Lumber Mill as a planer mill supervisor. He decided to change his career path and received his bachelor’s degree at The University of South Carolina, so he could go on and earn his master’s degree in divinity at Erskine Seminary.  He then became a devoted Methodist minister. In Bob's years of ministry, he served several South Carolina towns and their surrounding areas including:  Erhardt, Greenwood, Summerton, McCoil, Union, North, and his final church, St. James Methodist in Laurens, South Carolina. He also served in the United States Armed Forces, where he retired from the United States Navy as a flight mechanic.

Bob was a man who believed in the important bond of family and friends. He continually sought ways to give back to the community. He volunteered with Salkehatchie Summer programs, and he was part of the Methodist Church emergency response team responsible for providing aid to communities following natural disasters. Bob served on many mission trips to areas of need locally and across the globe. He grew a garden large enough to assist families in need in his community. He prioritized leading his churches to serve their community and assist those in need. Bob could certainly be mischievous at times and liked to play practical jokes on his friends and family. He would glance over with his characteristic broad smile and quiet chuckle.  He also loved a variety of music from Led Zeppelin to The Beatles and The Beach Boys, and he would be able to easily state the song, artist and year each song released. He was an avid outdoorsman. Without a doubt, Bob preferred to be outside fishing, hunting, working, hiking or just roaming around taking in all of God's wonderful creation.

Surviving are his wife, Rebecca Allen; sons, Robert L. Allen, Jr. (Stephanie), and Jonathan B. Allen (Cindy); step-son, Thomas Bishop (Sharon); brother, Steve Allen; and sisters, Nancy McGee and Ginger Vedder; grandchildren, Zac Allen, Olivia Allen, Charlie Allen, Hannah Hackgeirger (Jeremy), Becka Edge (Ryan), and Michael Dow (Heather); and many beloved great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Memorial services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at St. James Methodist Church in Laurens with the Rev. Scott officiating. The family will receive friends an  hour prior to the service. A graveside service will follow at Leesville Cemetery at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2026. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. James Methodist Church, 301 Watts Avenue, Laurens SC 29360.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Spartanburg Regional Hospice for their loving care during Bob’s illness.  Barr-Price Funeral Home and Crematorium, Historic Batesburg-Leesville Chapel is assisting the Allen family with arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rev. Bob Allen, please visit our floral store.