Minnie Jean Allen

Minnie Lucille Carlton was born on September 22, 1923 in Petersburg, Virginia. She grew up in a little 2-story redbrick house on Third Street with her mother Eva Beck and her brothers Bernard and Buck. While still in school at Petersburg High and later Virginia State College, the young lady, now called "Jean" or "Pandora" worked several jobs to help support the family. She worked at Brown and William's Tobacco Factory and Virginia Lens as well as the Fort Lee Army base. During this time, Minnie met and married Eugene G. Jackson (deceased) and they were blessed with a baby girl (Cassandra Renee). Minnie later married William E. Allen (deceased) and the family relocated to the Washington, DC area. Soon Minnie Jean found her true calling in the restaurant/food services arena. From her start at the Petersburg Hotel dining room to her job at Arnette's Restaurant "out on the highway", all these jobs led her to Washington, D.C. and ultimately to the position of Restaurant and Catering Manager at Walter Reed Army Medical Center Officer's Club. She ruled the place with an iron hand in a silk glove and was loved and respected by all for over 25 years until her retirement. Jean was responsible for arranging all kinds of events from elaborate weddings to fabulous parties and balls for the generals and visiting dignitaries. She met President and Mrs. Eisenhower and Generals Douglas McArthur and Mark Clark to name a few. Minnie Jean still found time to visit her daughter and family in Sweden on many occasions. While there she took small excursions to France, Denmark, Belgium and Germany. A real globetrotter! Church attendance and her devotion to the Lord have always been an extremely important part of Jean's life. She was a member of Riverdale Baptist Church for many years and has been a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran since moving to Bowie in 2006. Her lifelong love of God started with her accepting Jesus Christ as her Savior and Baptism at Harrison Street Church as a small child in Petersburg so many years ago. Minnie Jean was an avid reader of the Bible as well as popular best-sellers. She kept abreast of the happenings in the world and was even a volunteer at the polls when Bill Clinton ran the second time. And she loved music. Especially hymns with favorites like "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" and "How Great Thou Art".  She also enjoyed popular music and the songs of Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway. After a long, full life, Minnie Jean Allen went to be with the Lord on Monday, September 5, 2016. Her loving family will forever cherish her memory; daughter Cassandra Renee Ek, son-in-law Lars Ek and her beloved grandson Christopher Lars Ek as well as a host of dear friends.  Minnie Jean was predeceased by her mother Eva Beck and her brothers Bernard and Buck.   The family would like to give a special thank you to Living Well Assisted Living.  In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting a memorial donation, in her name, to her beloved church family; Trinity Lutheran Church.