Funeral services for Mr. Artis "Al" Allen, age 58 of Carthage, Texas, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2009, at Bethlehem Baptist Church with Bishop Hubert Owens officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Walker Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Mr. Allen passed away on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 on I-49 in Desoto Parish, Louisiana from injuries in an auto accident.

Artis Harold Allen was born on October 13, 1950, in Panola County, Texas to Theartis and Jerlene Ragster Allen. Mr. Allen graduated from Turner High School with the class of 1969. He served his country in the United States Army and was honorably discharged. Mr. Allen attended Panola College where he studied auto mechanics. He married Blinda Castleberry in 1970. Mr. Allen lived in Panola County all of his life and was a member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Sidney Allen.

Mr. Allen is survived by his wife, Blinda Allen of Carthage; three sons, Warren Castleberry and wife Teresa of Longview, Marius Allen and wife Marisha of Longview, and Kedrick Walls and wife Tennille of Venus; two daughters, Kenya Johnson and husband James of Richardson and Blindra Allen of Carthage; three brothers, Billy Allen of Dallas, Ike Allen and wife Loretta of Carthage, and Terry Allen of Carthage; two sisters, Gracie Stevenson of Carthage and Vickey Allen of Longview; and eleven grandchildren. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends also survive Mr. Allen.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.