It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Randy Shelley Allen, who was born on January 10, 1962, in Greenwood, SC, and died on July 22, 2025, at Hospice of Wendover in Shelby, NC.

Randy fought a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer since January 2024.

Randy's calling to serve came in the form of food service, both professionally and personally. He was well-known for his phenomenal and top-secret roast beef recipe, a dish he lovingly prepared and shared with countless families during times of need, mourning, celebration, and joy.

Randy dedicated his career to sales and the food service industry and was considered the best in his field. He was the Northeast Director of Sales for Standex (BKI) Cooking Solutions before transferring to The Middleby Corporation, where he became the Vice President of Business Development for Retail. Randy rounded out his career as President of Printing and Packaging, Inc. and Printcraft Company, Inc.

Randy had a passion for excellent food, travel, and spending time with good company. He had the gift of gab, albeit with a heavy dose of sarcasm, and rest assured, he would never- "make a long story short."

A lifelong resident of Shelby, NC, Randy attended Shelby High School, graduating with the class of 1980. During his teenage years, he worked as a summer lifeguard at Shelby City Park, where he met numerous people and forged lasting friendships. In high school, Randy was an active member of both the band and the swim team. Randy was a troop patrol leader of the Boy Scout Troop #104 and was one merit badge shy of becoming an Eagle Scout.

A member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Randy was also an active participant in the Methodist Men's Association for years. Randy was a member of the Rotary International Club in Forest City and served as its president in 1987.

Randy was a Master Mason at the Cleveland County Masonic Lodge #744, where he served as Master of the Lodge twice and was the founder of the Lodge's bereavement committee. Randy was honored with the title of Mason of the Year in May 2025.

Above all, Randy cherished his family. In 2006, Randy married his wife of almost 20 years, Cathy. He especially enjoyed spending long weekends with her in Asheville or Greenville. He loved hosting holiday dinners with Cathy and spending time with his grandchildren, who were truly the light of his life.

Randy adored his daughters, Cortlan and Caroline, and took pride in ensuring that they were well-traveled. Of all the places they traveled, he relished the time they spent in New York City the most, often reminding them, "There's nothing in the world like New York at Christmastime." Of all his accomplishments, his daughters were his proudest achievement.

Randy was preceded in death by his father, James Platt Allen, and his mother and stepfather, Joan and Boyce Hanna.

Left to cherish Randy's memory are his wife, Catherine (Cathy) Allen; his daughters and grandchildren, Cortlan Zaludek and her husband, Jake, (Jack, Max, Avery) of Sunset Beach, NC, and Caroline Thebeau and her husband, Dan, (Platt, Abbott) of Myrtle Beach, SC. and stepson Shane Greene and wife Ashley (Rylee, Toby) of Dallas, NC. Randy is also survived by his four siblings: Altman Ann Allen Anderson (Richard), Ginger Whitehead (Danny), Kevin Allen (Judy), and his twin brother, Sandy (Pam), along with several nieces and nephews and many special friends.

The family will receive friends at Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory on Friday, July 25, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A celebration of Mr. Allen's life and full Masonic Rites will be held on Saturday, July 26, at 11:00 am at Aldersgate United Methodist Church with Reverend Dr. Jeff Patterson officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Cemetery immediately following the funeral.