Nettie L. Allen's Obituary
Nettie Louise Bennett was born to the union of William “Will”
and Nettie Bennett in Anniston, Alabama on July 7, 1929 and
departed this life on Monday, September 25, 2017 in Tacoma,
Washington.
Nettie accepted Christ at a young age and under the
leadership of Rev. W. Thomas, she united with Smith Tabernacle
CME Church in Anniston, Alabama. This is where she started her
walk with Christ. As a youth, she sang in the Junior Choir and
enjoyed attending church. While living in Anniston, she met and
married Sergeant Alvin Allen. Their military travels took them to
Germany, the Panama Canal, Alaska and finally settling in
Tacoma, Washington in 1970. Upon settling in Tacoma, she
worked for Catholic Community Services as a Home Health Aid.
She continued her spiritual life and united with St. John Baptist
Church under the leadership of Rev. Joseph A. Boles. As a member
of St. John, she served on the Junior and Senior Mothers Board
and sang in the Senior Choir for many years.
Her later church years were spent at Live Oak Baptist Church,
where she served on the Mothers Board and Decorating Committee
until her health pre-vented her from serving. Nettie was faithful,
loyal and dedicated to the work of her Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. You could always find her at church praising God, singing
and shouting. Nettie was affectionately known as “Mother” by
everyone. She touched many lives. She never met a stranger. She
adopted you as her spiritual child and loved you unconditionally.
Mother had many hobbies, among them were arts and crafts as
well as cooking. You could always get a good meal, anything from
peach cobbler to collard greens and cornbread. You would never
leave her home with an empty stomach.
Preceding her in passing was her parents, Will and Nettie
Bennett, infant daughter, Effie Louise Allen; two sisters,
Elizabeth Spiegner and Joe Ann Rawlings and daughter-in-law,
June Allen. Mourning her departure, yet thanking God for many
years of loving memories are her son, William “Bill” Allen, six
grandchildren, Audrey Allen, Syracuse, New York, Tahira Allen,
Atlanta, Georgia, Monami Allen, Shahraim Allen, Bryan Ervin
and Stacey Allen, all of Tacoma, Washington. Six greatgrandchildren,
Yasmeen Allen, Atlanta, Georgia, Armauni Allen,
Buffalo, New York, Taiya Marie Westerberg, Aden Ervin, Eliana
Huey and Londyn Allen, all of Tacoma, Washington. One sister,
Erma Lee James, Tacoma, Washington, five brothers, Douglas
“Doug” Bennett (Gat) and Robert “Bobby” Bennett, Tacoma,
Washington, Roosevelt Bennett (Brenda) and Anthony “Tony”
Bennett, Las Vegas, Nevada, Dennis Bennett, Portland, Oregon
and brother-in-law, Joseph Spiegner, Tacoma, Washington.
Spiritual sister and best friend, Dorothy Bowling, spiritual
daughter, Jeanne Petranovich, Live Oak Church family, Tammy
Leeks, Carol Wright and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
What’s your fondest memory of Nettie ?
What’s a lesson you learned from Nettie ?
Share a story where Nettie 's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Nettie you’ll never forget.
How did Nettie make you smile?
