Mary L. Allen was born October 23, 1943 in Clarksdale, Arkansas to Hattie Mae Billings and Aaron Phillips. Our beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend went home to be with the Lord on June 10, 2021.
She confessed a hope in Christ at the age of ten at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Clarksdale, Arkansas, where she sang in the youth choir. She later joined Priyon Rest Missionary Baptist Church in James Mills, Arkansas and continued singing for the Lord. On July 1, 1966, she married Edward Allen. They were married until he went home to be with the Lord in 1998.
Mary was employed by Hoyt Nursing Home as the head cook for 25 years. She joined Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church September 12, 1966. She sang in the choir, served as Youth Director, and was also President of the gospel chorus for over 28 years. She also served in the Mission and Mother's Ministry for many years. She loved to sing, cook, fish and enjoyed calling family and friends to wish them a happy birthday. She tried to live the life she sang about in her songs.
Left to cherish her memory are four daughters, Shirley Allen-Davis of Lansing, Michigan, Angela Allen, Alesha (Lisa) Allen and Amy Allen all of Saginaw, Michigan; six brothers, Gene (Sue) Billings, Saginaw, Michigan, Harvey (Collette) Phillips, James (Rosemary) Phillips, both of Madison, Wisconsin, Larry (Katherine) Phillips, Omaha, Nebraska, Aaron Jr. (Helen) Phillips, St.Louis, Missouri, Marese (Gloria) Phillips, Joiner, Arkansas; one sister, Willie Mae Phillips, Madison, Wisconsin; special brother-in-law/son, Milton L. Allen of Georgia and special sister-in-law, Shearlene Allen of Chicago, Illinois; godchildren, Shonda (Bernard) Wilson, Rockford, Illinois, Ertonya Bishop, Saginaw, Michigan; ten grandchildren, including special granddaughter, Jasmine A. Allen, Lawanda (Carlos) Gonzales, Depatrick Allen, all of Lansing, Michigan, Lestina Smith, Edward Richardson, Zachary Richardon, Kamoni Allen, Kamaree Allen, Kayden Allen, Tomas Cooper, all of Saginaw, Michigan; two great-grandchildren, Elysa and Chance Allen; special sons, Jerald Richardson and Alden Payne, both of Saginaw, Michigan; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other loved ones and friends, including special friends, Sue Billings, Judy Finch, Margarett Stuckett, Debra Dillard, Doris Jones, and Willie and Carrie Whitley, all of Saginaw, Michigan.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 55 years, Edward Allen; three sisters, Eula Mae Johnson, Flora Mae Johnson and Martha Kisey; two brothers, Joe (Helen) Phillips and Charlie Moore; her mother, Hattie M. Billings Johnson, and father, Aaron Phillips; stepmother, Rachel “Sweetie” Phillips; mother-in-law, Annie Lee Allen and father-in-law, Edgar M. Allen.
Special thanks to the staff of Covenant Harrison and Covenant Cooper, staff of Davita Dialysis including two special staff members, Justin and Shanell, members of Mt. Nebo Missonary Baptist Church, Ivan E. Phillips and the Staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel.
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