The Allen Family Foot Prints

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John Robert's father was Albert Allen born in 1850. His mother's name was Sophie Patterson Allen. Grandparents were Betsy and Sam Allen. His siblings are Susan, Lizzie, Martha, Marie, Mamie, and Washington Allen. The best way to describe him is "unrecognized genius". A tall and lean man, John was also described as very charismatic. Being a family man himself, he would get the family together to enjoy each others company. By playing the banjo, harmonica, and singing, he was able to entertain his family. One of his most known attributes was being the strongest man in his own area, able to flip a car with ease. As a protector, he loved his family and would do anything for them. 

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John Hervie Allen

John Hervie was the first child born to John Robert Allen and Alene Nannie Christian Lucas Allen on July 15, 1919, in Scottsville, VA.  His father didn't name him John Robert Allen “Junior” following the suggestion of a white friend of  named Hervie Fox.  He was from that point on known just as Hervie.

Hervie’s elementary school was 2 ½ miles away and his parent didn’t want him to

walk the roads by himself.  So, they held him back two years so his younger brother Clinton could walk with him.  Hervie was smart, but he only went to the 7th grade because the nearest high school was in Charlottesville, 20 plus miles away. 

In December 1941, right after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Hervie was drafted.  During his 4 years of service he travel all over the far east.   

While stationed in Tuskegee, Ala, he met and married Mamie Rawlings.  Hervie’s marriage to Mamie was short lived.  In 1952 Hervie married Lena Pauline Jones, a young lady, who had a 4 year old son named Charles. They became the proud parent of three children, Rebecca Ann, John Wayne and Cecil Ronald.

Hervie worked for the Ford Motor Company and Collins Gulf Station in Scottsville, VA.  In 1974, he opened his car repair garage at his home in Buckingham, VA.

Hervie was a quiet man, even tempered, smart and respectfully.  He didn’t mine helping anyone who asked.

Hervie passed away on June 30, 1976 at age 56.

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Edith was born in Fluvanna County, VA on August 5, 1923, to John Robert Allen and his wife Alene.  She was the third of nine children and the first girl.  Edith received her early education from the Albemarle local school system.

Edith married John Edward Jackson Sr. at a young age.  After having two sons (John Edward Jr. and Franklin Delano), Edith and John E. decided to move to Washington, DC.  Edith had a daughter, named Yvonne on May 15, 1946. She later had another son named Johnny Jr.

Edith was smart, charming, and very generous.  She was very attractive and many said she had a fine figure. She loved people and was always willing to open her door to anyone who needed a roof over their heads. 

She helped each one of her siblings that ventured to come to Washington get their start.

Edith had worked as a domestic but went back to school to become a licensed hairstylist. In 1952, she married Benny Satterwhite.  They adopted a baby and named her Tracy.

Edith was called to the ministry in the mid 70’s.  She was a member of Carolina Missionary Baptist Church.  Edith would have prayer and council members at the church and on the phone.  She eventually became a pastor.

A women of distinction

Estelle was born April 13, 1925 in Scottsville, Virginia. Estelle was married to William C. Jackson, better known as "Big Boy". They have seven children which are William, Nancy, Ellison, Lawerence, Ronda, John, and Lyndon Jackson.

Born, January 31, 1927 in Albemarle County, VA.  She was the 5th child of John Robert Allen and Alene Nannie Christian Lucas Allen.  Peachie was educated in the Fluvanna County Public School System. She moved to Washington, D.C.  where she graduated from Martha Washington School of Nursing.  In 1946, Peachie gave birth to a baby girl, she named Janet.

Peachie loved her family.  She would help her sisters transition from the country life to the big city. In return, since Peachie was a single mom, they would help her take care of her daughter while she worked. 

Peachie joined Carolina Missionary Baptist Church on Monroe Street, NW.  She was very devoted to her faith and her church.  She served on the Nurse’s Unit and other church ministries.  It wasn’t  long before her sisters joined Carolina, too

When Janet was 12, Peachie went back to school and became a licensed beautician. That year, while Peachie worked and went to school, her daughter stayed with her sister Edith.  Peachie worked with Juanita in some of Juanita’s shops. Then, she took over the Seat Pleasant shop. For more than 30 years she owned and operated Carmody Hills Beauty Salon.

June 7th 1964, Peachie married Rev. Isaac Brown and together they raised his 5 children.  In 1965, Rev. Brown became the pastor of Southern Bethany Baptist Church, Mrs. Brown join and served as the first lady for 42 years.

Peachie was a very loving person with a contagious smile.  She never met a stranger and was always willing to help you if she could.  She served on the Allen Family Stirring Committee as one of the family’s historians because she had an excellent memory.  

In 1998, Peachie survived three open heart surgeries. Peachie died December 19, 2007 at Prince George’s Hospital in Cheverly, MD.

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Rosa Juanita Allen Cabell

Rosa, the 6th child of John Robert and Alene Allen was born in Fluvanna County, VA on February 8th 1930.  She was educated in the Fluvanna school system. At approximately age 19, she moved to Washington, D.C. to stay with her sister Peachie. When she first got to DC, Peachie was staying in a room so small she had to stand on her sofa bed to get dressed.  They quickly moved to Mr. Dews rooming house, on 13th Street, where they had two twin beds.

One of Juanita’s first jobs in DC was with the “Brigg’s” family where she was employed as a maid and cook.  The Brigg’s owned both Brigg’s ice cream and Brigg’s meats.

While Juanita was working with the Brigg’s family, Peachie encourage Juanita to go the beauty school.  She went, graduated from the Hawaiian School of Cosmetology and found her life lone career.

Juanita entered in holy matrimony with Joseph Cabell in 1952.  She and Joe were blessed with two amazing little girls, Joni and Joyce.

With a cosmetology license in hand, Juanita became the entrepreneurs extraordinary.  She opened her first beauty salon on what was then Palmer Hwy in Glenarden.  As time went on she opens shops in Hampton Mall, Landover Mall, on Branch Ave, in Seat Pleasant and on Marlboro Pike.  She even had her sister Peachie to help her.  Peachie eventually took over the ownership of Carmody Hills in Seat Pleasant. 

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Juanita is well known in P G County.  She is a member of First Baptist Church of Glenarden. A God loving, faith walking Christian with a meek and kind heart.

Deacon Carlton Cecil Allen is the youngest son of John Robert Allen and Alene Nannie Christian Lucas Allen, born in 1932 in Fluvanna County, VA. 

Like his siblings before him, Carlton attended Albemarle County Public Schools in Virginia.  After graduation, he joined the U.S. Army in 1950.  After training, he was stationed in Korea, where he battled on the front lines in the Korean War for over a year.  Carlton received his Honorable Discharge from the U.S Army in 1955.

After his military services, Carlton settled in the Washington, DC area.  He took a position in the Federal Government and where he worked for the U.S. Coast Guard for over 25 years.

Carlton became a deacon at the Solid Rock Full Gospel Baptist Church.  Here, he served as a Trustee and taught Sunday school for over ten years.  During this time, he met, fell in love, and married Ms. Audrey Johnson. From this union, they formed a blended family of five daughters, seven sons, and 20 grandchildren.

Their love for each other was so abundant that soon they were surrounded by the love of friends, a host of nieces, nephews, godsons, goddaughters.  All were welcomed, showered with love, and treated like their very own sons and daughters. So much so, Audrey proposed the idea of an Allen Family Reunion. 

As of today, the Allen Family Reunion is held yearly and grows stronger than each year. This continued family tradition is due to the love, work, and dedication of the grandchildren of John Robert Allen and Alene Nannie Christian Lucas Allen. 

Audrey went to be with our Lord in early 2000.  Her tenacity, excitement for living, the joy of giving and kindness lives on in the memories of those who knew and loved her.

Deacon Allen is a man of strong Christian faith who believes and trusts in God’s Word.  He always puts God first in his life.  His words of advice is always based onthe Bible teachings.  He is loved and respected by all. 

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2Barbara was born Aug. 4th 1938 in Fluvanna, County, VA to John Robert Allen and his wife, Alene Nannie Christian Allen.  She attended the local school system.  When Barbara moved to Washington, DC she attended Cardoza High School.  She eventually received her GED from St. Cecilia Catholic High School.

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In the summer of 1952, when Barbara first came to D.C. to help baby sit Peachie’s daughter, Janet.  After returning to VA, the summer of 1953, she was asked to come back and take care of Edith’s daughter, Yvonne.

One evening when she and Peachie were standing in front of Edith’s apartment building, she met this “man about town” William Norris.  Knowing Peachie, he drove up and wanted to know the name of the young lady in the shorts. He greeted the young lady with a kiss on the hand and the rest is history.

William Norris and Barbara married December 20, 1953.  They would become the proud parents of four girls, Gwendolyn, Kathi, Kelley and Lynda.

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In 1955, William opened a Shoe repair business in concession with Blue Ribbon Cleaners in two locations.

In 1961, William and Barbara decided to open their own shops.  They opened a shoe repair shop on Bladensburg Road, which later provided dry cleaning, also.

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Two years  later they opened River Terrace Dry Cleaners at 34th Benning Road, which was the base of their dry cleaning service.  William setup another shoe repair shop on Benning Road.  During these years of growth Barbara was the full time accountant and kept up the business activities for ten years.  Around 1978, Barbara got a job with the Federal Gov’t. and the shop’s business became her part-time duties.

Barbara worked for several government agencies before retiring in 1999 with 21 years of service.  During those years she attended and graduate from Annapolis Beauty Academy.

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In 1966, Barbara and William, purchased a home on 3 acres of land on the Chesapeake waterfront in Deale, MD.  Their home became the envy of the white community of Deale. They even had a cross burnt in their yard.  Gwen and Kathi were the first blacks to attend Deale elementary school. 

In 1978, Barbara became a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden.  She has served on the Early Morning Gospel Choir and numerous other ministries.

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Barbara and William are the proud grandparent of 9 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

William Norris closed their last shop in 1999 and passed away in 2002.

On May 3, 2008, Barbara, at age 69 married Deacon John Chapman, a widower from Churchton, MD.  Barbara,  joined her husband  as a member of the “Church of God”  Lothian, MD,  but  she remained a supporter of FBCG.

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