Phyllis Leen Allen

Phyllis Leen Allen was born July 23, 1943 in Dayton, Ohio to Maggie Lee Dillard and Willie C. Walder.  The call of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ was answered on October 31, 2024.

She was baptized at an early age and began her Christian worship as an usher and Sunday school teacher at Valley Grove Missionary Baptist Church.  She was a charter member of Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church,  and in her later years joined In His Presence World Ministries where she was a part of the Missionary Stewardship.  Phyllis has a beautiful alto voice, and participated in several church choirs.
She attended Dunbar High School, class of 1962, and studied at Central State University. She served for 34 years as a para-professional at various schools in the Dayton Public Schools District, retiring in 2012.  She was a dedicated educator and was “Mama Allen” to many students and younger employees to whom she served as surrogate parent, counselor, and/or mentor throughout her career.  Phyllis especially enjoyed returning to Dunbar High School as the “Queen” of Hall-sweep, and her later positions, serving as Librarian at Jefferson Elementary, Westwood, and Louise Troy Schools. 

Phyllis enjoyed bowling, and was especially proud of her7-10 split patch, and her near perfect game of 292.  An excellent cook, best known for her cornbread dressing, chili, and sweet potato pies, she chaired many church banquets, family reunions and holiday gatherings.  Phyllis also enjoyed playing Bid Whist and Bingo.

She had a strong sense of community.  Concerned for her young sons and other boys in the neighborhood, she partnered with another parent to have little baseball contests between the “Superior” and “Grand” Avenue Teams.  Many neighborhood teens spent time in her mentorship on the porch at 1213, where she amassed several foster “sons” and daughters”.  She absolutely loved family and had a strong loyalty.  You would catch some choice words, and  feel her wrath if you messed with her children, or talked about her family. 
She lived a miraculous life through Jesus.  In her childhood, she experienced blindness and spent time at the Ohio State School for the blind.  Thanks to the prayers of her Mother and other saints, Jesus healed from blindness.  She also was hit by a coal truck in her youth and sustained minimal injuries.  Later, in her adult life, the Lord would also heal her of Bell’s Palsy, and three (3) bouts of breast cancer.  These occurrences only strengthened her faith and love for God.  Having tasted His goodness, Phyllis would  raise her five children in the admonition of God.  In addition to raising her children, her care and compassion would lead her to become a life- long caregiver to her parents, and special grandchildren Antonio Jones and Sheldon Wheeler.
Phyllis is preceded in death by her parents, Maggie Dillard and Willie Walder; grandson, Antonio Jones; sister, Aldora Payne; special niece and nephew, who grew up like siblings, Carolyn Shaw and Michael Payne.

She leaves to cherish her memory, daughters, Terri L. Allen, Rosalind (Charles) Pollard, Kimberly (David) Hairston; sons, Daniel Jr. (Mary) and Quintin (Katina) Allen; brothers, Wille J (Billy), Verbie (Denise) and Owen(Betty) Walder; 18 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; special cousin, Betty J. Magee; and special friends, Rosa Lee Jewett and Trudy Byrd; a host of nieces nephews, cousin and friends. 

Funeral service 11 am Friday, November 8, 2024 at Maranatha Worship Centre, 4501 Wolf Rd., Dayton, OH. Visitation 9 am- 11 am. Family to receive friends 10 am- 11 am. Interment West Memory Gardens. Arrangements entrusted to House of Wheat Funeral Home.

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