Allen Tothill, a retired business executive and longstanding resident of Metro Atlanta, encompassing North Fulton and Cherokee County, passed away peacefully on November 1, 2023, after a long and courageous battle with lymphoma, at the age of 80. In the final days of his life, he was surrounded by the love of his family, the prayers of his caring neighbors, the skilled compassion of his caregivers, and the well wishes and support of his close friends.
Allen is survived by his wife, Sandy Tothill; his siblings, Jim Tothill and Marcy Vance; his children and their spouses, Brooke Tothill, Rachel and Brian Hill, and Kyle and Erica Tothill; his seven grandchildren, Wade Newton, Davis Newton, Ethan Hill, Elise Hill, Sydney Tothill, Jamison Tothill, and Woods Tothill; his in-laws, Milton McLamb along with Karol Tothill; and his six nieces and nephews, Tyler Vance, Meredith McLamb, Melissa McLamb, Conor McLamb, Harrison McLamb, and Trey McLamb.
Allen Kyle Tothill was born in Roanoke, VA on August 6th, 1943 to Margaret Woods and Francis (Frank) Kyle Tothill. He moved to Winston Salem during his early years and graduated from Northwest High School in 1961, with high academic honors. He studied Chemical Engineering at North Carolina State University, where he graduated with honors, and was selected to become a member of the elite "The Golden Chain Honors Society". He was a proud member of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity during his time at his beloved alma mater.
Allen's professional journey began as a process engineer at DuPont. He then transitioned his family to Dallas, Texas, to take on the role of a systems engineer and programmer at EDS. He was among the pioneering commercial computer engineers of his time, working with punch cards to program the large machines that processed big data.
This technical foundation in systems paved the way for his subsequent move into the insurance industry, where he contributed to the nascent field of insurance data systems. His career in this sector took him and his family from Dallas to Richmond, VA, and ultimately to Atlanta, GA. Along this path, he transitioned from an engineering and product development career into roles that demanded business acumen and executive leadership in the marketing and sales arena.
In 1985, Allen joined Sprint Corporation as a sales leader, tasked with the growth and scaling of their enterprise business division. His 17-year tenure at Sprint was marked by a series of achievements that earned him a reputation as a highly respected and successful figure within the company. Known for his exceptional ability to cultivate strong relationships and foster cohesive teams that were highly performant, Allen's leadership was integral to his becoming an officer of the company and went on to form several new business units, in Europe and Brazil and the US. In the latter part of his career, he partnered with his son to create a nationally recognized sales recruiting firm, which became the precursor to the successful establishment of eHire, LLC.
Allen's professional life afforded him the opportunity to travel extensively, forging connections with a multitude of people, fostering the growth and advancement of numerous careers, and experiencing a wealth of amazing encounters along the way. His influence extended beyond his years in business and into the lives of those he mentored and collaborated with, leaving an indelible mark on the people he touched.
Allen had a deep passion for golf, was devoted to his church, and had a keen interest in reading and studying history. He loved attending, watching, and supporting his favorite sports teams (NC State, Braves, Falcons) and following the PGA Tour and Major Championships, especially The Masters. He also found joy in tending to the family horse farm in Cherokee County and spending time with his neighbors and family.
A celebration of life will be held on November 11, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, 3180 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
Following the service a reception will be held at the home of Kyle and Erica Tothill from 12:30PM to 4PM.
Donation in lieu of Flowers:
Allen's victory over cancer was profound, as he lived in remission during his final years. The battle was hard-fought, showcasing the strength and progress that dedicated cancer research can yield. We continue to see the tremendous impact of these research endeavors on the world and encourage continued support for this noble cause.
We humbly request that in honor of Allen's enduring spirit and memory, you lend your support to this cause. By contributing, we can collectively further the legacy he embraced and the fight he championed, ensuring that hope and progress continue for many others.
https://vfoundation.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.personalCampaign&participantID=15337