James Oliver Allen, 87, of Columbus, MS, died on June 29th, 2026, at his home. Services will be held on Thursday, July 2nd, 2026, at First Methodist Church of Columbus Mississippi. Visitation will be from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm in Carolyn’s Room, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 12:00 pm in the Sanctuary, with Reverend Dr. Vaughn Stafford officiating, assisted by Rev. Jimmy Criddle, Rev. Tony Proctor,  and Dr. Joe N. McKeever. Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory will be handling the arrangements.

James was born on October 15, 1938, in Silver Creek, MS, to the late William Oliver Allen and Myrtis Mullen Allen. James graduated from Silver Creek High School and attended Copiah-Lincoln Community College for two years before completing his degree in Music at the University of Southern Mississippi. While at USM, James met Ann White while serving on the Baptist Student Union together. Just two years later, James and Ann were married at Main Street Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, MS, marking the beginning of a long and happy marriage full of love, laughter, and faithfulness. After graduating from USM, James and Ann moved to Bloomington, IN where James completed his Masters Degree in Music at Indiana University.

James and Ann moved to Columbus, MS in 1965 where he began a triumphant 49 year career of teaching at Mississippi University for Women. Alongside teaching, James served as the organist at First Baptist Church for 37 years before spending the next 24 years playing the organ at First Methodist Church, and now, playing for Jesus in Heaven.

The times that James spent serving his community with his musical talent is unending with the number of weddings, funerals, and civic events that James joyfully played for. James enjoyed accompanying student, faculty, and community recitals, alongside creating outstanding musical moments with his piano partner, Nancy Smith Kennedy.

Outside of his musical gifting, James was consistently passionate about history and genealogy; always insisting to save every document, letter, and artifact that he found to be valuable and treasurable. If you knew James, you knew of his famous text messages and voicemails; always reaching out to wish his people a Happy Holiday, or just a happy Saturday.

What James, fondly known as “Grandaddy” to his two grandsons and their closest friends, was most proud of, was his family. He seldom missed sporting events, school programs, or a weekend dinner with his daughter and grandchildren. His legacy, musical brilliance, and gentle loving-kindness will live on, not only in the hearts of those he impacted within his community, but within the lives of his family, who cared for and loved him deeply.

James is survived by his daughter Elizabeth Allen Swartz, his grandson, Jacob Allen Swartz and his fiancé Cheyenne Tucker, his grandson, Jonathan Mark Swartz and his wife McKenna Reese Swartz; Nephew Ron White, Niece, Michele White Green, and many close relatives.

Pall Bearers will be Jacob Swartz, Jonathan Swartz, Ron White, Wright Miskelly, Jacob Browning, Norman Ford, Sean Harrison, and Stephen Racine.  The family requests that memorials be made to First Methodist Church of Columbus, MS.