Coach Jimmie Davis "Jody" Allen

Coach Jimmie Davis “Jody” Allen, 60, of Columbus, Georgia, stormed the gates of heaven on June 17, 2021 and retired to the mansions of rest.  Jody Allen met his Creator clothed in the love and prayers of his large family, numerous friends, and a legion of devoted players.  

        Jody was born on August 6, 1960 in Fayette County, Georgia.  He graduated from Fayette County High School in 1979, played football at Marion Military Institute and Valdosta State University, and coached at the professional, collegiate, and high school levels for more than 30 years, most recently at Chattahoochee County.  During his ten years coaching for Bobby Bowden at Florida State University, Jody met his future wife and forever sweetheart, Emilie Corbin.  They married at Navarre Beach in 2008, and were blessed with a daughter, Hannah Caroline, in December of 2013.  Ironically, Jody was diagnosed with lymphoma shortly after the arrival of his daughter.  Being a father was the greatest joy of his life, and gave Jody the iron will to go into overtime again and again to fight his illness and remain present for his family. 

        Prior to becoming Hannah’s father, Jody was a joyful and devoted “Assistant Head Dad” to his niece, Courtney, and his nephews, Luke, Colton, Grant, and Everett.  He imparted life lessons and family traditions they will never forget. 

        Coach Allen believed in teaching the skills needed to develop young people into responsible, independent adults.  He started each season by inviting his players to attend church and share a Sunday lunch with him.  He mentored players on and off the field, striving to provide them with a playbook for life. 

        Although the stadium lights have dimmed on Jody’s life, his family ask all who knew him to rejoice and reflect on his spirit, humility, and devout Christian faith, and preserve these values so they may burn brightly beyond his time on this Earth.

        Jody is survived by his wife of 13 years, Emilie Corbin Allen; his beloved daughter, Hannah Caroline Allen;  his mother, Jean Redwine Allen; his mother-in-law, Sandra Corbin; his brothers, Jeff Allen and Jerry Allen, sisters-in-law Heather Allen, Juli Stewart and Monica Corbin, and brother-in-law Russell Stewart; his niece Courtney Allen and nephews Luke Allen, Colton Allen, Grant Stewart, and Everett Stewart.  Jody was preceded in death by his father, Jimmie Davis Allen, Sr., and father-in-law Bill A. Corbin. 

        A celebration of Coach Allen’s homecoming will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 22 at Edgewood Baptist Church, 3564 Forrest Road, Columbus, Georgia 31907.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at givenow.lls.org

The funeral service will be streamed at https://youtu.be/_EhhPjISHjE

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