Dr. Lawrence Lanier Allen Jr.

Dr. Lawrence “Lanier” Allen, Jr., 84, of Stockbridge, GA, died Tuesday, September 25, 2018, at Riverside Nursing and Rehabilitation in Thomaston, GA. A Memorial Service with military honors will be held Thursday, September 27, at 2:00 PM, in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Thomaston with Rev. Bill Barber and Rev. Larry Lawrence officiating. Military honors will be held in an adjacent courtyard immediately following the service. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall of the church. Dr. Allen was born in Valdosta, GA, June 1, 1934, to the late Lawrence Lanier Allen, Sr., and Marie James Allen. The son of a farmer, Dr. Allen worked his way through Valdosta State College and The Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, GA, earning his M.D. as a physician. He began his medical practice in Thomaston, GA, on July 8, 1963. Dr. Allen was honored with a Mayoral Proclamation designating July 11, 2014, as “Dr. L.L. Allen Day” in the City of Thomaston upon his retirement from practicing medicine in Thomaston for more than 50 years. He also served as an Aviation Medical Examiner conducting physicals for private and commercial airline pilots for 40 years. Dr. Allen served his country in the U.S. Air Force and in the Georgia Army National Guard (GaARNG). While serving in the GaARNG, Dr. Allen served as the 48th Brigade Surgeon, Commander of the 1077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH), and GaARNG State Surgeon, retiring in 1993 at the rank of Brigadier General. Dr. Allen was a member of First Baptist Church Thomaston, and most recently a member of First Baptist Church Jonesboro, GA. Dr. Allen was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Zona Biggs Allen of Hahira, GA. He is survived by four children: Lawrence Lanier Allen, III, (Barbara) of Jonesboro, GA, Joy Allen Drummond (Randy) of Stockbridge, GA, Dr. Michael Allen (Glenda) of Thomaston,GA, Laura Allen Hudson (Guy) of Anchorage, AK; four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Dr. Allen’s name to Rainbow House, Inc., in Clayton County, GA, an emergency shelter for abused, neglected, exploited and abandoned children at: www.rainbowhouseinc.org. Fletcher-Day Funeral Home of Thomaston is in charge of all arrangements. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.fletcherdayfuneralhome.com.