Obituary of Allie G. Allen

On the morning of January 7th 2017, Allie G. Saunders Allen passed peacefully after a brief illness. She was 92 years old and had lived a full and rich life. Allie was born on September 11, 1924 to Sadie Sawyer and Dalmus Saunders in New Bern, North Carolina, where she spent most of her early years. After graduating from high school in 1942, Allie moved to Philadelphia, where she worked as a nanny and later as a seamstress. It was there that she developed a close circle of lifelong girlfriends, who would travel with her to Atlantic City, where she subsequently met and fell in love with James W. Allen, a young aerographer's mate in the US Navy. They were married in Wilmington, Delaware on February 27, 1946. While James was in the Philippines, pursuing his meteorological career, Allie went to live with James' family in Cumberland, Virginia—her first experience of living on a farm. In January 1947, their first son, James Jr. (Butch) was born. When James Sr. returned, he and Allie moved to East Orange, New Jersey and later bought their first home in Roselle. In April 1952, their family was completed with the birth of their second son, Saunders, but Allie and James made room in their home and their hearts for many relatives, who came north from the rural south in search of better opportunities. Allie pursued her education while, at the same time, working in a day care center and nursery schools. She studied at Rutgers University, Seton Hall University, and graduated from Kean College in Union, NJ with a degree in early childhood education. She expressed her love of children and of education as an elementary school teacher in the Elizabeth, NJ School System. She loved her vocation so much that she continued to teach until her retirement in 2001 at the age of 77. In addition to teaching, Allie also loved making delicious desserts like bread pudding, rainbow cake and lemon meringue pie. She adored classical music, Christmas carols and Christmas decorations, Broadway musicals, and enjoyed playing Bingo and visiting Atlantic City. After moving to Raleigh, NC in her later years, she settled into an apartment, where she met many new friends and enjoyed going with them to the Symphony, museums and other outings. She took special pleasure in seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren during family gatherings and holidays. She was very skilled at crocheting, knitting and beading--making many unique gifts for family and friends. Often she would donate her crocheted blankets to babies at local hospitals. Allie was preceded in death by her husband, James and her sister, Dorothy Saunders Edmondson. She leaves to treasure her memory, her sons, James Jr and Saunders, daughter-in-law, Patricia, grandson, Robert Allen (Allison), granddaughter, Alicia Saadi (Hicham), and great grandchildren, Brianne Allen, Christopher Allen, Jasim Saadi and Karim Saadi. She also leaves four loving sister-in-laws, Georgia Foster, Odell Allen, Lorene Allen, and Leanna Allen, as well as many nieces, nephews, other extended family, and friends. Allie lived a long, happy and productive life on her own terms. Her love, encouragement, and sense of humor will be missed by all.