I lost the love of my life, Michael Patrick Allred, on September 5, 2026. I fell in love with Michael and his family immediately: his parents, Caroline and Ben Allred, and his brothers, Ben, John, Charlie and Thomas.

For over 50 years, Michael was my soulmate, my best friend and my husband. He was also a loving father to our children, Jennifer and Michael. He was a devoted husband and father who cherished his family above all else. Some of his happiest memories were made with his children. He loved loading up our wagon with toys and food and spending the day on the Isle of Palms. He also enjoyed a family game of basketball in the driveway.

I will miss playing the "P" game with Michael. It was a word game that we made up and played for years. "Express how you feel only using a word beginning with a P." It was silly but we laughed a lot!

He loved watching ACC basketball on television. Surprise, surprise, his favorite team was the Duke Blue Devils, his alma mater. Michael also enjoyed flounder gigging, going to oyster roasts, and watching sci-fi movies but he did not like to dance. He just did not have the moves.

To those who knew him, he was a loving, caring, and special person that touched the lives of many - he was my person. He was the glue that held our family together. When we lost everything in hurricane Hugo, he did not let us give up hope. While everyone was scrambling to find a place to live, he found an apartment for us. A year later, he found a new house that we could call home.

While our hearts are broken by his passing, we are grateful for the love, memories and beautiful years that we were blessed to share with him. He is now reunited with our son.

Forever in my heart,

Claudia Allred

Michael is survived by his loving wife, Claudia, daughter, Jennifer Allred; his brothers, Ben, John (Cindy), Charlie (Nina) and Thomas (Jeni) Allred, and one granddaughter, Millie Allred.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Michael Allred.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Old Drum Animal Shelter in Warrensburg and may be left in care of the funeral home.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.