Mrs. Allen Bond

The mother of Carl Darnell, Craig Lamarr (Tondria Larita), Chance Edward and Christine Elaine transitioned on April 10, 2019. She had just celebrated her 78th birthday on March 22, 2019. She was our SHERO! Allen Bond (Maris) was born in 1941 to the late Katherine Maris (Williams) and R A Maris in Somerville, Tennessee. Although she was an only child, her name said it all. She was named after her mother’s favorite brother that had died due to a fatal car accident. Allen wore her name proudly and dared anyone to challenge the strong name she lived up to in every aspect of her life. In 1946, at the age of 5, Allen moved to Saginaw, Michigan with her mother. This proved to be one of her biggest challenges in life because she was separated from all her immediate family. Her mother worked hard and provided for her daughter and as Allen put it, “I wanted for nothing”. In 1950, Grandma Sally, the one that captured Allen’s heart, moved in with her and her mother Katherine. She learned many skills which included, knitting, crocheting, quilting and sewing. Allen made sure that she passed this legacy to her granddaughters, Christin and Candace. In the late 50’s Allen learned how to play violin. In fact, she was so gifted, she was given the opportunity to play first chair. This was just the beginning of the legacy that she has left behind. When the love of her life, the late Robert Bond swept her off her feet, they had four children that she poured her very soul into until her very last breath. Allen had strong work ethics. She had several jobs and always worked with the spirit of excellence. Allen was a salaried secretary at Chevrolet Saginaw Manufacturing, Allen was known for her gift of organization and typing. She had fingers that could type at the speed of light. She was also known by her nick name, “Ms. Good Body”. The Quality Control department respected her consistent “Highly Effective Performance” by recognizing her through appraisals that acknowledged and substituted her work ethics. When she retired in 1999, she took things to the next level. She looked forward to having a full house all over again. Allen created a full baby room with all the bells, whistles and waterbed in preparation for the “little ugly children” as she often called them. In addition to becoming one heck of a grandmother to the late Craig Lamarr II, Christin Lauren, Candace LaJoy, Cameron Allen, Chance Edward Jr. Cady Grace and the best new addition to the family, Alaysha LaJoy, she started attending different classes that taught her new skills like scrapbooking and photoshop. She created memory books for each of her children and grandchildren. They would only come to see the fullness of her labor of love as of her recent transition. She took a personal interest in coins, and I mean lots of coins! Everyone that knew her understood that she wasn’t enamored with the bling, but the legacy that she was establishing so that her children and children’s children could learn how to work, save, invest and leave a legacy for those that will take the reign of leading the family to generational wealth. Allen had a special place in her heart to help single mothers. She knew all to well the pain she lived when an inconsistent monthly child support check totaling $100 eventually made its way to her mailbox. Regardless of the infrequency of the checks, she worked harder to provide the best for her children. Making sure they all received a CHRISTIAN education for the entirety of their schooling. The legacy that she and Katherine, her mother, left was to help single mothers like themselves. She worked closely with the State to find solid housing for single mothers that needed a helping hand and a safe place to live. She would often mother them and share nuggets of wisdom to help them overcome. Allen loved hard, it was just disguised by a scowl and those penetrating eyes of hers. She will be missed, by her children, she was their ROCK! A true legacy that will never fade… Memorial service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue, Saginaw, Michigan 48607. Rev. Thelma Williams will officiate. Donations in lieu of Flowers: Samaritas Community Center. 3145 Russell Street. Saginaw, Michigan 48601

Mrs. Allen Bond

March 22, 1941 - April 10, 2019