PATSY L. ALLEN (nee TAYLOR) Gary, Indiana Patsy L. Allen was born on April 2, 1930 in Gary, Indiana to Harvey and Margaret Taylor. She accepted Christ at the age of 12 and was baptized at St. John Baptist Church. She later joined First Baptist Church where she was a faithful and devoted member. Patsy was a member and secretary of the Deacon Board, the Miriam Circle and co-founder of the Classy Ladies Resale Shop. She was an alumnus of Roosevelt High School, Class of 1948. Patsy was married to her high school sweetheart, Roosevelt D. Allen Sr. for 54 years. To this union, three children were born. Patsy attended Gary City College, which later became Indiana University. She later followed in her husband's footsteps and attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science graduating in 1957 and becoming a licensed Funeral Director and embalmer in 1958. Former owner of the Kit Kat lounge and Patsy's Ceramic's. She along with her late husband Roosevelt were the founders and co-owners of Guy & Allen Funeral Directors, Inc. Patsy was a member of the Indiana Funeral Directors Association and National Funeral Directors Association. Life member of the NAACP and 2000 recipient of the Mary White Ovington Award along with her husband Roosevelt. President of the Board of Images of Hope, member of the Board of Directors of the Methodist Hospitals Inc. for 15 years, Secretary of the Board and also Chairman of the Quality Assurance Committee. She was president and member of the Ci' de Vants Civic and Social Club for over 36 years. She formerly served on the Board of Directors Lake County Job Training, Tolle-Mann Business Association, Board of Directors of the Gary Chamber of Commerce, Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation of Northwest Indiana and numerous other affiliations. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roosevelt Allen Sr., and parents, Harvey Taylor and Margaret Taylor; sister, Bernice Hughes; and brother, Oscar Taylor. Patsy exchanged time for eternity on Sunday, February 10, 2008, in her home with children and grandchildren at her side. She leaves to cherish fond and precious memories: 3 loving and devoted children, Roosevelt (Tiawanda) Allen Jr., Valerie (Wallace) Broadnax, Gregory (Tabetha) Allen; 6 grandchildren, Carmelita Perry, Edward (Shauntella) Perry, all of Gary, Lisa (Jerry) Wilson, LaTrice Geter, both of Indianapolis, IN, Olivia and Aaliyah Allen, both of Gary, IN; 9 great grandchildren; 1 sister-in-law, Mary Ann Guyton of Gary; brothers-in-law, Cornelius Allen of Chicago, IL, and Rosenwald (Eunice) Allen Sr. of East Chicago, IN; step-sister, Edith King; cousin, Edmoynur Taylor; god daughters, Patsy Allen of Merrillville, IN, and Patrician (Curtis) Owens-Lee of Gary; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends and church family. Visitation will be held February 15, 2008, from 12 noon to 8:00 p.m. Family hours 5 to 8:00 p.m. at the Guy & Allen Chapel, 2959 W. 11th Ave. Funeral services Saturday, February 16, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 626 W. 21st Ave. Rev. Dr. Bennie T. Henson officiating. Interment Evergreen Memorial Park, Hobart, IN. Professional services rendered by: Guy & Allen Funeral Directors, Inc.
Published in Post-Tribune from February 12 to February 16, 2008