Willie E. Allen

Our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Saturday, November 10, 2012, at the age of 90 years. He was born on August 25, 1922 in Ruleville, MS. He was the oldest of nine children born to the late Estella (Burgess) and Cephus Allen. Willie was married to India Norwood in Marion, Arkansas in 1942; she preceded him in death on March 24, 2000. Mr. Allen came to Saginaw, Michigan in 1953. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Army having served during WWII. He retired from the Chevrolet Grey Iron in 1982 and was member of the U.A.W. Local #668. He joined the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in 1956. Willie loved fishing, barbequing, watching baseball, and travelling. He loved to talk with all those that he came in contact with. His most favorite past time was cooking and sharing his perfected prime rib cuisine with others. His memory will be cherished by, four daughters, Idell (Chris) Chaffer, Gennetta (Mark) Thomas, both of Saginaw, MI, Wilenda (Gilbert) Jones of Fort Wayne, IN, Sandra (Kevin) Richard of Belleville, MI; one god daughter, Shelia McBride; ten grandchildren, Mark (Carla) Thomas, Christopher (Gina) Chaffer, Michael (Sharie) Thomas and Matthew Thomas, all of Saginaw, MI, Alexis Chaffer, AnJanette Chaffer, Lisa Jones, all of Belleville, MI, Gilbert Jones Jr., Ft. Wayne, IN, Kevandria and Kevin Richard of Belleville, MI; two sisters, Delia Olison and Lou Ella Matlock, both of Los Angeles, CA; two sisters-in-law, Lena Mae Franklin, Memphis, TN, Delores McLemore- Allen, Detroit, MI; twelve great-grandchildren, Lance, Ashley, Mark (A.J.), Teayarra, Matthew II, Cameron, Amber, and Paris Thomas, Chrystal Harrison, Indiya Turner, Keznie and Kamaya Jones; a host of other relatives and friends. Mr. Allen was preceded in death by one daughter, Leatha L. Allen; brothers, John Henry and James Thomas Allen; sisters, Ora Bell Sample, Adella and Leatha Gayles, and Savannah Love and a great-granddaughter, Marlese Thomas. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 16, 2012 at Mt. Olive Institutional Missionary Baptist Church, 1114 N. 6th Street. Rev. Dr. Marvin T. Smith will officiate with interment in Eastlawn Memorial Gardens. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne’s Funeral Home, 441 N. Jefferson Ave., on Thursday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. The family will be present to greet friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.

Willie E. Allen

August 25, 1922 - November 10, 2012