The portrait of longtime Hazlehurst attorney Ellis Allen Jr. has been added to the Copiah County Circuit Courtroom, where it will be displayed with the images of other late members of the Copiah County Bar Association.  

Members of the Copiah County Bar Association held a brief ceremony with members of Allen’s familly prior to regular court proceeding began Monday morning.  Chancery Judge Ed Patten, Circuit Judge Lamar Pickard and others commented briefly on Allen’s service to Copiah County as a professional and as a member of the communty.

“He is remembered fondly by the many people he befriended and served in Copiah County during his lifetime. His career and his life are exemplary to all of us,” said Judge Patten at the conclusion of the ceremony.

The late bar members’ portraits can be seen on the walls of the balcony overlooking the courtroom of the Copiah County Courthouse. The portaits on the main level of the courtroom are those of past judges.

Allen was a practicing attorney for over 50 years and an active member of the community, serving in various civic and professional organizations. He was a faithful member of the Hazlehurst United Methodist Church, where he served in many capacities and taught a Sunday School class for over 20 years.

“We are so proud of this honor for my Daddy.  He truly loved practicing law, and his portrait joins many other passionate Copiah County attorneys,” said his daughter Lynn Green, former resident of Hazlehurst now residing in the Jackson area. “We want to thank the members of the Copiah County Bar Association, Judge Patten and Judge Pickard for their kindness and for their fondness of my Dad and our family.”

Allen was a 1939 graduate of Hazlehurst High School and attended the University of South Carolina as a freshman. He received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University in 1943 and his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1947.

After graduating from LSU, Allen received his ROTC commission as a First Lieutenant and served 20 months of active duty in WWII as a Platoon/Company Commander with the 22nd Armored Engineer Battalion of the Fifth Armored Division. He was awarded numerous awards including the Bronze Star and was released from active duty in 1946. He was recalled into active duty, serving in the Korean War for 21 months. After being released from active duty in 1952, he continued his military career in the Army Reserve as a JAG officer obtaining the rank of Colonel before retiring after 31 years of active and reserve duty.