Betty Jean Allen (Lansing)

Mrs. Betty Jean Allen passed away Monday, May 24, 2021, at McLaren Hospital in Lansing, Michigan. Age 61 years. Betty was born on February 27, 1960, in Pima County, Tucson, Arizona to Henry Hursey, Sr. and Ethel M. Hursey.

Betty attended Michigan schools, eventually graduating from Harry Hill High School in Lansing, Michigan. She was certified in foodservice and was an amazing chef who loved to eat! She made dinners for the community, her menus were immensely popular, especially with her mother, who would often request Jambalaya, and fried fish. Betty was also a Certified Nursing Assistant caring for seniors. She provided child care services for her grandchildren as well as nieces and nephews. Betty also worked in the retail industry for many years. She loved cracking jokes and was known to light up the room with her laughter. In many ways, Betty was more like her father than his own son, he was a comedian and so was she. She was known to be generous with her love and her resources. Betty was dedicated to her family, friends, and causes. Betty helped coordinate the “Spirit of ‘76” event in Lansing. She loved people no matter their challenges, one of the ways she showed this was through prison ministry.

Betty professed her faith in Christ early in life. She expressed a strong desire for all her family, especially her children, to have the best experiences in life. While in primary and secondary school, she ensured that she and her children took advantage of opportunities for cultural, physical, and overall educational and spiritual opportunities. Betty was a dedicated member of Faith Fellowship Baptist Church, always involved in activities of the church including graduations, back-to-school campaign giveaways sponsored by the church.

She leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband, Willie Allen of Lansing, Michigan; daughter, TeKeKia Holmes of Tulsa, Oklahoma; 3 sons, Arnold Winston, William Carthen and Bryan Carthen, all of Lansing, Michigan; stepdaughter, Viola L. Jones of Huntsville, Alabama; 8 grandchildren, Dennis Embry, Ajovi Winston-Artis, Zakaya Goodin-Artis, Roshni Winston-Artis, DaeShaun MacIntyre, and Dontae MacIntyre, all of Lansing, Michigan, Amaria Winston and Rosie Winston, both of Tulsa, Oklahoma; great grandchild, Karmello Embry-Artis; parents, Henry Hursey, Sr. and Ethel M. Artis; 11 sisters, Sheila Hursey, Morie (Dwayne) Curtis, Stephanie (Larry) Hursey, Mary Underwood, Bernice (Lorenzo) Washington, Tracy (Kevin) Hardrick, Yvette Hursey, Katherine Morgan, Debbie Morgan, Darlene (Jerald) Sherrod, and Lillie (Warren) Walls; 4 brothers, Bryan James, Rickey Morgan, Sr., Tony (Yvette) Morgan, Sr., and Nelson (Karen) Morgan; 2 aunts, Julia Williams and Edna Jones; 2 uncles, Richard Jones and Samuel Jones; parents-in-law, Willie B. and Viola M. Wilson; sister-in-law, Cassandra Ross; 2 brothers-in-law, Leroy Wilson and Bobby Wilson; 44 nieces and nephews; many great nieces, great nephews, cousins, many other relatives and friends including special friends, Dr. Stan Parker, Senior Pastor and First Lady Charlotte Parker; NayNay Winston, Debra Bennett and Carrie Clifton.

She was preceded in death by her stepmother, Lillie Hursey; grandparents, Bernice Stringer and Floyd Underwood; 2 brothers, Carlis A. Hursey and Henry Hursey, Jr.; and nephew, Tony Morgan, Jr.