Elmer L. "Sonny" Allen Jr.

Elmer L. “Sonny” Allen, Jr., 90, of Salisbury, passed away on Monday, June 14, 2021 at the Novant Health Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House in Salisbury. Born February 7, 1931 in Winston-Salem, NC, Sonny was the son of Elmer L. Allen, Sr. and Mary Mitchell Allen. Sonny graduated from Clemmons High School and Catawba College. He was active in the Salisbury community for decades. Highlights include Mayor of Salisbury 1971-1973, Board of Education, Board of Trustees Catawba College, Director of American Red Cross, Habitat of Humanity, Cerebral Palsy of North Carolina and Hospice of Rowan County. O. B. Michael Award of Catawba College (1980) and recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by the State of North Carolina (1982). He served as CEO of Citizens Federal Savings and Loan Association and Founder/President of Allen Mortgage, Inc. In 2013 Sonny wrote and published a novel, “The Paperboy”. Sonny will be remembered for his charm, welcoming friendliness and dedication to civic projects. In addition to his parents, Sonny was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years Janie Bonds Allen and by his son-in-law Keith O’Brien. Sonny is survived by his three children, David Lee Allen, Laura Jane Allen Sumner and husband Mark Sumner and Edward Christian Allen (Chip). He is survived by his five very dear grandchildren, Haley, Mary Reese and Sadie Bowler and Claire and Mitchell Allen and also by his brothers-in-law Bobby Bonds and wife Elsie and John Bonds and wife Donna. A Memorial Service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Thursday June 17 at 3pm with Rev. Laura Henrik, Associate Pastor, officiating. A reception will follow in Peeler Hall at St. John’s. In lieu of flowers the family invites donations to the Old Lutheran Cemetery (City of Salisbury, 132 N Main St, Salisbury, NC 28144, Attn: Kelly Baker) or Hospice of Rowan County, 1229 Statesville Blvd., Salisbury, NC The family would like to thank our hospice team of Karen, Megan, Melissa, Susan, Kelly and the entire nursing and support staff at Novant Health Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House. Special thanks to Nancy Oslin and Tami Nianouris for their dedicated support over the years in assisting Sonny while he lived with Laura and Mark Sumner. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Allen family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Elmer L. "Sonny" Allen Jr.

February 7, 1931 - June 16, 2021