Sam D. Allen Jr.

Sam D. Allen, Jr., 98, of Salisbury, NC, beloved husband of Joyce Allen and founder of Sam’s Car Washes went home to God on Christmas Day, at the Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House in Salisbury. He was born in Norwood, NC, 1919, to the late Sam D. Allen, Sr., and Beulah Drye. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Glenn and James Allen. Sam was an entrepreneur at heart and, after graduating from business college, started a grocery store with his brother, Jim, in Spencer, NC, in 1942. World War II started and Sam and Jim were called to active duty. He served two years in the Army, stationed in England, during the war. He returned home and worked for Standard Oil Company in Edenton, NC, where he met and married the love of his life, Joyce. They had two sons, Glenn Allen and Sam Allen III, and moved to Salisbury in 1951, and started Allen’s Esso Service Center on S. Main St. His entrepreneurial drive then lead him to another great business venture in 1962, when he founded Sam’s Car Wash at 1022 W. Innes St. His incredible work ethic and support from his wife, who initially worked the cash register without pay in the beginning, laid the foundation for a business well-known for friendly service and a high quality product. In 1968, he started Sam’s Kwik Car Wash at 800 E. Innes St., and passed on his business legacy to his sons who then started a third location in Lexington, NC, in 1990. Today, both sons carry on his passion for quality and friendly service at all three locations. Sam was incredibly proud of his four grandchildren who carry on his legacy and entrepreneurial drive in their businesses and professions. Becky Noell is a Nurse Practitioner in Salisbury, NC. Justin Allen is the owner of Extension King Hair Salon in Miami Beach, Florida. Dwight Allen, started a fourth carwash location, Sam’s Car Wash of Concord in 2016. Andrew Allen is pursuing servant leadership training. What was once a dream of Sam’s has now turned into a family affair. Sam was a former president of the Merchants Association, a member of toastmasters and a former elder of Second Presbyterian Church of Salisbury. He and Joyce loved spending their retired years fishing on the Outer Banks and recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. They are current members of Milford Hills United Methodist Church. Sam is survived by his wife, Joyce Chappell Allen; sons, Glenn Allen (Jane) of Rockwell, and Sam Allen, III (Kaye), of Lexington; grandchildren Becky Allen Noell of Salisbury, Justin Allen of Miami Beach, FL, Dwight Allen of Rockwell, and Andrew Allen of Salisbury; and three great-grandchildren: Leona, Charlotte and Alex. The family would like to express sincere gratitude to the staff of Trinity Oaks, Dr. Brent Seifert, Dr. William Brinkley, and the staff who cared for him at the Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House. Visitation: Friday, December 29th, 6:00pm – 8:00 pm, at Summersett Funeral Home, 1315 W. Innes St., Salisbury, NC. Service: Saturday, December 30th, 11:00am at Milford Hills United Methodist Church, 1630 Statesville Blvd, Salisbury, NC 28144 In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House, 1229 Statesville Blvd, Salisbury, NC 28144 or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at http://www.summersettfuneralhome.com. Summersett Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Allen family.

Sam D. Allen Jr.

December 25, 2017