Dr. Charles Houston (Catfish) Allen beloved Mississippi and Alabama physician died Sunday, June 15, 2008 shortly after his 78th year. Born in D'Lo Mississippi to Gracie Corine Allen and Charles Allen, Sr. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Mississippi College. A member of the University of Mississippi Medical School's first 4 year graduating class; he received the first diploma by rite of the alphabet - his name being Allen. Before graduating his fellow Ole Miss classmates voted him Colonel Rebel and he became the first of only 2 medical students to receive this honor. Dr. Allen served with distinction in Korea. His first medical practice was in New Augsta, MS. Later he joined Dr. Karl Horn and Dr. Bud Minkler to pioneer the new field of Emergency Medicine in Jackson County, MS giving the area 24 hour coverage; the first in MS and one of the first of such in the country. Dr. Allen practiced medicine with kindness that was reknown in all the south; his genorosity and good humor were legendary. After 30 years he retired from the Singing River Emergency Department and started a family practice clinic in Grand Bay, AL where he practiced for 10 years until his late 70's. Being a doctor and taking care of people, that was his life. A blessing to all that knew him, there was only one catfish. So very sadly missed by his family - wife, Cindy Allen; son and wife, Wiley and Mary Anne Allen; cousins, Marilyn and Harry McRaney and other family members. In lieu of flowers the family kindly request that donations be made at the Merchants & Marine Bank of Pascagoula to the "Dr. Charles Houston Allen Jr. Allied Health Scholarship Fund". This scholarship fund will provide assistance to students of Gulf Coast Community College who are pursuing a career in the medical field and qualify as recipients. A visitation will be Wednesday, June 18th from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. at Holder-Wells Funeral Home in Moss Point, MS. Funeral services will be Thursday, June 19th at 4:00 p.m. from Upton Funeral Home in Mendenhall, MS. Friends may call one hour prior to service time. Interment will be in Pinola Cemetery in Simpson County, MS.