M. Allan Workman
Allan Workman, 74, of Kimberly, WV passed peacefully from this life on March 21, 2015 at Hubbard Hospice House in Charleston, WV after a very brief battle with cancer. He left to join his sister, Bobbi Karen Watts Oates and his parents – Elizabeth and Bill Workman who preceded him in death.
Allan was born on August 12, 1940 in Kimberly, WV in Fayette County. He graduated from Montgomery High School in 1958 and was one of the main organizers of the annual All Class Montgomery High School Reunion. He attended WV Institute of Technology and was a member of the Tech baseball team. After attending college, Allan moved to Washington, D.C. where he worked for the National Geographic Society. Upon the death of his father, he moved back to Kimberly, WV in 1968 to walk in his father’s footsteps in law enforcement and found his life’s work. Allan’s career spanned 33 years starting as a Deputy in the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department. In 1970 he graduated from the WV State Police Academy, the first Fayette County Deputy to do so. He served as a Fayette County Deputy Sheriff for 24 years and Chief Deputy for 5 years. He was appointed the Chief of Police in Montgomery, WV, worked as an investigator in the Fayette County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, was elected and served as a Fayette County Magistrate and served as a Montgomery City Judge. Allan felt it was an honor and a privilege to serve the public in his profession. Throughout his career he was known for his honesty, fairness and treating others with respect.
Allan enjoyed fishing, collecting American history and sports memorabilia and being “the last Workman” on Armstrong Creek. He dearly loved 50’s Doo-Wop music, dancing the Jitterbug with his wife Jo and cruising in his prized ’57 Chevy. He was a lifelong member of the Kimberly Church of God.
Allan was admired, respected and loved by many people whose lives he touched. He is deeply loved and will be forever held in the hearts of his family. He is survived by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 53 years, Jo Workman. Allan and Jo met in Kimberly in the third grade and were together ever since. He is also survived by his daughters Karen (Steve Neu) Workman and Amy (Darin) Affolter; Grandchildren Aubrie Affolter, Connor Bragg, Steffan Affolter, Caroline Affolter, Alec Neu and Ashley (Michael) Haston; Sister-in-law Carolyn Redman of Rileyville, VA and brother-in-law John (Terry) Gilbert of Simpsonville, SC; Nephews Tim (Annemarie) Redman, John (Linda) Redman and John (Kelly) Gilbert; Nieces Sarah Gilbert, Jennifer Anders and Julie (Vince) Williamson; 10 great-nieces and nephews and 6 great-great nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Allan’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25th at the Kimberly Church of God in Kimberly, WV with Rev. Jeff Floyd presiding. Family and friends may visit from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. or from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 24th at O’Dell Funeral Home in Montgomery, WV. Internment will be at Montgomery Memorial Park in London, WV.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests your expression of sympathy be made through a charitable contribution to either the YWCA Sojourners Shelter for Homeless Women and Families, 1426 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston, WV 25301 or the Hubbard Hospice House, 1001 Curtis Price Way, Charleston, WV 25311. Envelopes will be provided by the funeral home.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of love, prayers and support during this difficult time. The family would also like to thank the staff of CAMC Memorial 4-West, HospiceCare at home and the Hubbard Hospice House for their kindness, comfort and exceptional care they provided.