Allen Paul
Author, Allen Paul, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on May 25, 2026. Allen possessed many passions: sports, politics, history, dogs, ice cream, “Oh Hell” cards and movies, among others. However, writing, family and helping people ranked at the top of list. Born on October 21, 1939, Allen was profoundly shaped by his upbringing in Campbell’s Creek near Aurora, North Carolina. His mother, Elaine Paul, cultivated in Allen a love of literature and an interest in the world beyond Campbell’s Creek. Allen thrived at sports, playing on Aurora’s baseball and basketball teams, which he captained. Soon after high school graduation, he began dating head cheerleader, Betsy Bonner. They wed at age 20 and remained married for 66 years.
He began his career as a journalist at the Raleigh Times after graduating from Guilford College. He moved his young family to Washington, DC, taking a job as a speech writer. For many years, he ran a trade association, Agriculture Council of America, where he made lifelong friends. He returned to writing in the 1980s, completing Katyn: the Untold Story of Stalin’s Polish Massacre. A critically acclaimed bestseller, Katyn instilled in Allen a love of Poland and the Polish people. As a Fulbright Scholar, he and Betsy lived in Krakow and Warsaw, Poland. In 2008, the Polish president awarded Allen the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit. A memorable moment came in 2010 when Allen flew with Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk and former president Lech Walesa to meet with Vladimir Putin, who finally acknowledged Soviet Union’s complicity in the Katyn massacre. Allen was invited to return to the site three days later with Poland’s president. He declined the trip and the plane crashed, killing all 96 passengers.
Allen and Betsy eventually returned to Raleigh where he continued to write. One of his favorite book topics focused on his beloved dog, Honey, a “Carolina Dog.” Just this year, he completed a book on Research Triangle Park co-authored with his son Mack due for release on October 6 and a novel about Poland titled My Warrior Queen. He had more planned. Allen also became deeply engaged in the economic recovery of Aurora following the devastation of Hurricane Irene in 2011. Allen was instrumental in the development of an industrial park that now houses a branch of Beaufort County Community College. He has maintained a home near Campbell’s Creek, which has long served as a gathering place for family and friends and the site of many of Allen’s best memories.
Allen’s greatest legacy relates to his family and all those he has helped through the years. He is survived by his wife, Betsy, his indomitable partner and supporter. He is also survived by children, Jennifer Paul, and former husband Parker Daniell, and Mack Paul, and wife Julie, of Raleigh. Allen was immensely proud of them and his grandchildren, Erin Daniell, Tyler Daniell, Emma Paul and Lee Paul as well as Emma’s husband, Matthew McMillan, great grandson, Ewan McMillan, and Erin’s fiancé Lamont Actkinson. Allen is predeceased by his parents Mack Allen Paul, Jr. and Elaine Mayo Paul and his brother Ken, who served in Vietnam and died too young in 1987. He is survived by siblings Jonathan, Mary and Chris – all of whom were with him on his last day. Allen was also close to their families: Brenda Paul (wife of Jonathan), Jonathan’s son, Soloman Paul, Suzanne Paul (wife of Chris) and their sons Bryan and Lucas. Many of them paid a visit during Allen’s final days.
Allen’s death creates a big hole for those who knew him. He will be missed but his memory and legacy will continue. (Donations can be made to the Partnership for Aurora-Richland Township Progress at https://www.partp.org/donate).
A memorial service is scheduled for 3 p.m. on June 30, 2026 at Greg Poole, Jr. All Faiths Chapel in Dix Park, Raleigh.