Former Russellville mayor passes

By Staff
Jason Cannon, FCT Publisher
Leonard O. Allen, former Russellville Mayor, died Tuesday afternoon in Atlanta after a brief illness. He was 83.
Allen served as Mayor of Russellville from 1980 to 1984.
"He was a wonderful mayor," said Tinker Malone, a current Russellville councilman who served under Allen. "If he told you he was going to do something, you could take it to the bank. He worked hard to help people, no matter what status they were."
Malone said Allen played large roles in the construction and opening of Sloss Lake Park and Russellville's economic development.
"He did a lot of good things for the city," he said. "I think he was instrumental in bringing industry and retail stores here."
Allen also served as the county's tax assessor in through the 60s and 70s and served on the county's Veteran's Administration.
He was a Navy veteran and a recipient of the Purple Heart.
"He was a true servant to this county, the City of Russellville, and the country," Malone said.
Allen is survived by his daughter, Mary Lynn Botts and Dr. Michael Botts, of Madison; son, Leonard O'Neal Allen III of Atlanta; his former wife and the mother of his children, Nola Pritchard Allen; two grandchildren, Drew and Rachel Botts; a special friend, June Tyson and her two daughters, Georgia Lister and Debbie Rosen and their immediate families, of Alpharetta, Ga.
Visitation will be today from 5-8 p.m. in the chapel of Pinkard Funeral Home.
The body will lie in state from 10-11 a.m. with the service following at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 13, at the First United Methodist Church of Russellville with Dr. Gene Balding and Bro. Jerry Curry officiating. Interment will be in Franklin Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will include Sen. Roger Bedford.