Robert Stewart Allen Sr., 87, passed away Saturday, November 1, 2025 at his residence in Athens, following an extended illness.
He was born in Cumberland, MD July 15, 1938 to the late Joseph Stewart Cottman Allen and Irene Cole Allen. He lived his younger years in Cumberland, MD, and attended Allegany High School before moving to Aiken, SC with his parents in 1954.
He graduated from Aiken High School in 1956. He was a high school standout where he lettered in baseball and basketball. He played freshman basketball at Clemson University and was vice president of his freshman class.
Upon graduating with a B.S. in Business Administration/Management degree from the University of South Carolina in 1964, he moved his family to Greencastle, PA to work as a Supervisor at CorningWare. In 1971, the family moved to Blackshear, where he worked for The Brantley Company, Bowen Construction and self-employed as a painter. In 1994, he moved to Ellijay, to paint a newly developed resort called Whitepath Lodge. Alongside his partner, Vicki, he managed and operated the Lodge until their retirement in 2016. They moved to Blackshear in 2022 for a brief stint before moving to Athens last year.
He was an active leader in the sports community during his children’s involvement in youth and high school sports. He was on the Board of the Tiger Touchdown Club. Also, he enjoyed playing in adult basketball, softball and golf leagues. He was a member of the Creepy Crawlers Senior League at Whitepath Golf Course in Ellijay.
Survivors include his loving partner of 31 years, Vicki Lynn Strickland, Athens; his four children, Rob (Shelby) Allen, Leesburg, Terry Allen (Darryl) Little, Gainesville, Scott Allen (Karen Albanese), Augusta and Maggie Allen (Ryan) Herring, Blackshear; six grandchildren, Troy (Sarah) Anderson, Glennville, Patrick (Madeline) Little and their son, Jack, Sulphur, OK, Daniel Little, Gainesville, Caroline Herring, David Herring and Matthew Herring, all of Blackshear; his loving extended Athens family, Van (Mary) Strickland, Vern Strickland, Cara (Marc) Thompson and children Emma and Aiden Dowling and Marcus and Charlotte Thompson, Malia (TJ) Stillwell and children Nolan and Parker of Smyrna.
Memorialization will be by cremation.
A celebration of life will be held at a later time.
Lord and Stephens Funeral Home of Athens is in charge of arrangements.
