Rev. James Woodrow Allen

Remembering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James W. Allen, “Woodrow” was born on September 28, 1930 and was the first child born to James Sylvester Allen Sr. and Lillie Mae Swayzer Allen of Wisner, Louisiana. James received Christ at an early age and was baptized by the late Reverend Martin Cooper of the Holly Grove Baptist Church. He received his primary education from Holly Grove School, while taking voice lessons from his grandfather the late renowned music educator Elijah Swayzer. James used his innate and refined gift to sing gospel throughout his entire life. As a young man, James worked on his father’s land within the Holly Grove Settlement. In 1951, James relocated to Oakland California, and began working at the Pacific Rubber Company. Having a desire to make a better life for himself, he enlisted in the United States Army and relocated to Germany during the Korean War. While stationed in Germany, he earned the following medals: the Army Occupation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. In 1956, James married Julia Hampton and from this union they were blessed with nine children. James, a faithful husband and father, worked hard to support his family. For several years, he worked as a Carpenter while holding another position at the Del Monte Cannery. In 1962, he received a GED equivalent from Oakland High Adult School. In 1965, he obtained a job at the University of California, Berkeley (Cal) as a maintenance worker. He later transferred to the position of Landscaper. While a landscaper at Cal he was interviewed by the university's newspaper, he was quoted, “The Bible is the greatest book of all time”. No matter where he went he was never afraid to share his love of the gospel of Jesus Christ. After 30 years of service, he retired from Cal. Upon retirement, James maintained a very active lifestyle by devoting his time as a Chaplain for Highland Hospital and visiting local convalescent homes to minister to the sick and shut in patients. As an entrepreneur, he created his own business called the “Penny Market” and would often solicit help from his grandchildren to assist with pricing and selling items. He loved God, his family, the church, and the community that he lived in. He taught all of his children the following core values: Love God, love thy neighbor as thyself, forgive those who offend you, and money management skills. He taught his children and most grandchildren to recite the Lord’s Prayer at an early age. Some of his favorite Bible scriptures were Psalms 1, Psalms 27:14, and II Timothy 4:7. He was a strong proponent in ensuring that his children received a higher education that would allow them to make a better contribution to God, themselves, and their families. He would always acknowledge and reward his children’s good behavior and academic achievements in school. He blended religion, education, and recreation. On Saturday mornings, James would line his children up for military style exercise routines from jogging around the backyard, to performing pushups, and jumping jacks before assigning them their weekly chores. On Sunday mornings, he would have everyone in the household wake up early to have family prayer before attending Sunday School and Church Services. After Church, James could be seen spending quality time with his family at places like Children’s Fairyland, Alameda Beach, Knowland Park or jogging Lake Merritt with all his children trailing behind him. In 1982, he received his Ministerial Certificate. In 1984, he worked in the prison ministries with Allen Temple Baptist Church and John C. Quinn Out Reach Ministry. He also worked as a Chaplain with the Youth Authority of Stockton. He studied at Shiloh Bible College before he was ordained as a minister at Union Baptist Church in 1989. He was a very active and faithful servant of God throughout the community until his health declined in 1999. Nonetheless, he still maintained his faith and was a man that sought after God’s own heart and actively prayed for healing and direction until his time of death. Reverend Allen is preceded in death by his parents, James and Lillie Swayzer Allen; his wife, Julia Allen; his sisters, Sally Allen, Shirley Bennett, and Leaster Allen; as well as his brothers, Jimmy and Elijah Allen; his son Rodney Allen, Sr.; and his daughter, Patricia Spearman. Left to cherish his memories are: daughters, Lillie Allen, Sherry Allen, and Cynthia Allen; his sons, Leroy Hampton, Charles Milton, Dennis Allen, and Michael Allen. Reverend Allen also leaves behind his 28 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great grandchildren. Reverend Allen was a devout Christian and an extraordinary man, the patriarch of his family. He is the last survivor to close the book on his family’s generation. He will be cherished and missed greatly by all who knew and loved him.

Rev. James Woodrow Allen

September 28, 1930 - June 7, 2016

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Rev. James Woodrow Allen

September 28, 1930 - June 7, 2016

365 Days of Grief Support

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

Urn Store

Obituaries

Price Lists

Contact Information