Obituary for James Henry Allen
The sun was nearing its zenith on June 20, 2019 when James Henry Allen reached his and was enfolded in the embrace of His Savior.
Jim, as he was affection ally called was born in Mackey, North Carolina on November 21, 1924 to the late Willie H. and Mary Howell Allen. He moved to Elizabeth City at an early age where he received his elementary education and graduated from P. W. Moore High School. He started his college education at the then Elizabeth City State Teachers College, but his studies were interrupted with having to go and serve his country in the U. S. Army for a little over two years. Upon completion of his military service, Jim continued and completed his college education at Shaw University with a degree in English. He was a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
After college, Jim went to work for the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia. He started at the bottom doing custodial work and retired with over 30 years of service as a Supervisor in Radiological Control.
Jim gave his life to Christ at an early age, holding memberships at St. Galilee Disciples of Christ, St. Peters Disciples of Christ Church and Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. He was always active in church holding such positions as Superintendent of Sunday School, Sunday SchoolTeacher, Vacation Bible School Director, to name a few. He loved going to Sunday School and having healthy discussions about the Bible.
Aside from working his way up in the ranks at the Shipyard, another one of Jim’s greatest accomplishments was that he was instrumental in integrating the public schools in Elizabeth City. He took extreme measures to get his oldest son, Alex, into the all - white Elizabeth City High School. Alex would become the first black to walk across the stage in 1966 to receive his High School diploma.
He was always willing to help anybody in any way he could. When tried to be compensated for his acts of kindness, he would say “just help the next person you see”.
Jim was married to the late Doris Overton Allen and from this union six children were born. Together they worked and often going without themselves to make sure their children were provided for in everyway possible, giving them the foundation, they needed to succeed in the world.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris O. Allen; a son, William “Alex” Allen; a daughter Zelda T. Allen; a grandson, William “ Billy “ Allen; a great grandson, Jeremy Etheridge; his siblings, Clara Beamon, Cennie Mae Sutton, Willie “ Bud “ Allen, Raymond Allen and Theodius “ Herk “ Allen.
He leaves to cherish his memory three sons, SGM ( Ret. ) U. S. Army Ronnie E/ Allen, Sr. ( Franscene ) of Fayetteville, N. C., First Class Petty Officer ( SW Ret. ) U. S. Navy Michael Allen of Hampton, VA., and William Darwin Allen ( Pamela ) of Elizabeth City, N. C.; One daughter, Linda A. Briggs, affectionately called by her Daddy “ Little One “ ( Wilbert ) of Arlington, VA.; Six Grandchildren, Winser Allen, Ronnie E. “ Ron Ron “ Allen Jr., Lativia Allen, Felicia Allen, Jeremy Barclift and Sholanda Davis; eight great grandchildren, Taneyll Allen, Amaiya Allen, Jeremiah Allen, Shi’era Allen, Jaylan Blackman, Jasmine Johnson, Christian Johnson and Zoe Knuckle; one daughter-in-law, Helen Allen; one sister-in-law, Carolyn Allen, a special daughter, Debora A. Roseborough; a special grandson, David M. Roseborough; host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.robinsonfuneralandcremation.com.
A. C. Robinson & Son Funeral Home, Inc. is assisting the Allen Family.
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Jim, as he was affection ally called was born in Mackey, North Carolina on November 21, 1924 to the late Willie H. and Mary Howell Allen. He moved to Elizabeth City at an early age where he received his elementary education and graduated from P. W. Moore High School. He started his college education at the then Elizabeth City State Teachers College, but his studies were interrupted with having to go and serve his country in the U. S. Army for a little over two years. Upon completion of his military service, Jim continued and completed his college education at Shaw University with a degree in English. He was a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
After college, Jim went to work for the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia. He started at the bottom doing custodial work and retired with over 30 years of service as a Supervisor in Radiological Control.
Jim gave his life to Christ at an early age, holding memberships at St. Galilee Disciples of Christ, St. Peters Disciples of Christ Church and Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. He was always active in church holding such positions as Superintendent of Sunday School, Sunday SchoolTeacher, Vacation Bible School Director, to name a few. He loved going to Sunday School and having healthy discussions about the Bible.
Aside from working his way up in the ranks at the Shipyard, another one of Jim’s greatest accomplishments was that he was instrumental in integrating the public schools in Elizabeth City. He took extreme measures to get his oldest son, Alex, into the all - white Elizabeth City High School. Alex would become the first black to walk across the stage in 1966 to receive his High School diploma.
He was always willing to help anybody in any way he could. When tried to be compensated for his acts of kindness, he would say “just help the next person you see”.
Jim was married to the late Doris Overton Allen and from this union six children were born. Together they worked and often going without themselves to make sure their children were provided for in everyway possible, giving them the foundation, they needed to succeed in the world.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris O. Allen; a son, William “Alex” Allen; a daughter Zelda T. Allen; a grandson, William “ Billy “ Allen; a great grandson, Jeremy Etheridge; his siblings, Clara Beamon, Cennie Mae Sutton, Willie “ Bud “ Allen, Raymond Allen and Theodius “ Herk “ Allen.
He leaves to cherish his memory three sons, SGM ( Ret. ) U. S. Army Ronnie E/ Allen, Sr. ( Franscene ) of Fayetteville, N. C., First Class Petty Officer ( SW Ret. ) U. S. Navy Michael Allen of Hampton, VA., and William Darwin Allen ( Pamela ) of Elizabeth City, N. C.; One daughter, Linda A. Briggs, affectionately called by her Daddy “ Little One “ ( Wilbert ) of Arlington, VA.; Six Grandchildren, Winser Allen, Ronnie E. “ Ron Ron “ Allen Jr., Lativia Allen, Felicia Allen, Jeremy Barclift and Sholanda Davis; eight great grandchildren, Taneyll Allen, Amaiya Allen, Jeremiah Allen, Shi’era Allen, Jaylan Blackman, Jasmine Johnson, Christian Johnson and Zoe Knuckle; one daughter-in-law, Helen Allen; one sister-in-law, Carolyn Allen, a special daughter, Debora A. Roseborough; a special grandson, David M. Roseborough; host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.robinsonfuneralandcremation.com.
A. C. Robinson & Son Funeral Home, Inc. is assisting the Allen Family.
To plant a tree in memory of James Henry Allen, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Viewing
Thursday
27
Jun
4:00 AM
- 7:00 PM
A. C. Robinson & Son Funeral Home, Inc.
1100 Southern Avenue
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Processional
Thursday
27
Jun
12:15 PM
James Allen
1205 Harris Drive
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Celebration Of Life
Friday
28
Jun
1:00 PM
Union Chapel Misssionary Baptist Church
1166 Ball Road
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Interment
Friday
28
Jun
2:30 PM
Westlawn Cemetery
1909 W Main Street
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
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