M. Allen Bean, 88, of Abingdon, passed away peacefully on August 8, 2025, after a long illness. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. Known for his wit, kindness, and interest in others, Allen was a loyal and always optimistic WVU Mountaineers fan.
Allen, born to Arletta and Oscar Bean of Moorefield, West Virginia, graduated from Moorefield High School and earned a degree in Economics from West Virginia Wesleyan College. He married Bonnie Arnold and they had three children: Kristi Bean Hartshorn, Heather Bean Martens, and Chip Bean. Allen’s grandfather owned one of the first Ford dealerships in West Virginia, and that sparked Allen’s lifelong interest in cars. He enjoyed a long and successful career with the Gulf Oil Corporation.
After retiring from Gulf Oil, Allen served as president of Farm & Home Oil in Pennsylvania before fully retiring to Williamsburg, Virginia, where he and Bonnie owned an antiques business. After Bonnie passed away in 2005, Allen relocated to Abingdon, Virginia where he made many new friends, enjoyed playing golf, and read at least two books a week. In 2011, Allen married Tina Dixon of Abingdon and welcomed her daughter Andrea and her three children to their family.
Those left to cherish Allen’s memory include his wife Tina, his children, two sons-in-law (Bruce Hartshorn and Dan Martens), five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, as well as his extended family and numerous friends.
A Celebration of Life service to honor Allen will take place in Abingdon at a later date.
Memorial donations in Allen’s honor can be made to Duffey Memorial Methodist Church (100 N. Elm St., Moorefield, WV 26836) or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org).
Allen will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.
Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest register. The family of M. Allen Bean is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.
