FRANKLIN—Allen Hickman Allison, 81, died Nov. 10, 2007.

Mr. Allison was born in Jewel Ridge, Va., a son of the late James Abner and Margaret Brown Allison.

He was predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Betty Parker Allison, a brother, Jim Allison, and his step-mother, Rachel Oglesby Allison.

He attended the Virginia Military Institute and left to become a U. S. Army paratrooper during WW II.

He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Virginia Tech.

He worked for Smith Douglas Fertilizer, then for Virginia Tech as an extension agronomist at the Tidewater Research Station in Holland, with a specialty in peanuts until his retirement in 1988. He was a member of Holland United Church of Christ.

Survivors include two sons, James Parker Allison of Washington, D.C.; Allen Hickman Allison, Jr., of Encinitas, Calif.; two sisters-in-law, Nancy P. Richardson of Virginia Beach and Margaret Allison of Roanoke; brother-in-law, Owen Parker and his wife, Kathy, of Mt. Olive, N.C.; first cousin, Catherine Gannaway of Pulaski; numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews; and a special friend, Louise Haynes of Pulaski.

A graveside service was conducted Tuesday in Holland Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Kathy Worrell, 717 Fairview Drive, Franklin, Va. 23851. Condolences may be emailed to www.wrightfuneralhome.org