DORIS J. ALLEN, 93, died after a brief illness February 23, 2022 surrounded by family. Doris was born January 14, 1929 in Brickeys, AR to Henrene (nee Cochran) and Willie Richardson, the third of four offspring. She was a child of the Great Depression and divorce, but thrived with the love and support of her grandmother and many aunts. Her father remarried and had 5 more children. She learned to be very independent early on, and had a keen mind and an inquisitive nature. She was a good student, an athlete, and formed deep friendships with classmates, creating “The Famous Five,” among them. After school, she worked in her aunt and uncle’s convenience store. She learned to drive by age 14, and made the trips to pick up beer and soda for the store. After she graduated high school, she was anxious to explore the world, and left to seek a new life in Battle Creek, MI. There, she worked in a department store, in women’s alterations, before deciding to move to St. Louis, MO, where her mother had relocated. She had a new goal: she wanted to enroll in the university and ultimately become a pediatrician. Unfortunately, the strain of working, a heavy course load, and absent academic counseling, all resulted in her abandoning those studies. She was not deterred altogether, however, from a career in medical science, and she enrolled in the Gradwohl School of Laboratory Technique in 1951. She was one of a few students mentored by the director and endorsed for work at hospital labs before completing her training. In those early years, she worked at Christian Hospital, Homer Phillips, and Jefferson Barracks. She finally settled in at John Cochran VA Hospital, and remained there until she retired some 30 years later in 1991.

While working at the ‘Park & Eat’ restaurant, to earn money for her tuition, she met Walter Allen. They wed in 1954, and started a family. They had 4 children: Vanessa, Walter, Valinda, and Veda. 

Doris befriended a young Rev. William Collins and his wife Margaret and joined Antioch Baptist Church not long after moving to St Louis. She was a sweet, loving person, who formed friendships easily. She was devoted to the church and her faith, and volunteered her time to two of the women’s circles. All of her relationships through the church have lasted decades.

Doris continued to enjoy the company of her friends, and started a social club, the Les JOGs (Just Ordinary Girls), whose membership changed over the years, but Doris was always one of its constants. She was a talented hostess, and made certain everyone felt welcome and appreciated.  She enjoyed their parties and loved to dance. 

Doris wanted her children to dream big and be independent, and she tried to assure their successes. She worked hard, and set an example of sacrifice and diligence. She put three of her children through Washington University.  She helped raise one of her grandchildren during a few difficult adolescent years until she graduated high school and moved on to the Air Force. After that, she participated in a mentorship program working with a young woman through a local Ferguson agency that sought to help and inspire at-risk youth. Later, she wrote “I am proud of my children’s accomplishments…They were determined to do their best.”

After her divorce from Walter, she found love and companionship with Clyde Reid and they remained partners until his death in 2003. Together they enjoyed travel, including Mardi Gras trips, gambling excursions, sightseeing, restaurants, and visits to family and long-missed friends. Later in life, when she was no longer able to remain independent, Doris moved in with her daughter Veda and lived in VA for 4 years. She spent the last months of her life in MO with her daughter Valinda.

Doris was greatly loved by her friends and family. Her loss is passionately mourned by her four children Vanessa (Duane), Walter, Valinda (Guy), and Veda (George), her half-sisters Phyllis, Vivian, and Charlott, nieces and nephews, grandchildren Aisha, Hana, and Sulaiman, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by many of her longtime friends from Arkansas, Antioch Baptist, the VA and her social club. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henrene and Willie, and siblings Herbert, (Kathleen) Jean, and Eldridge, and half-brothers Eddie and John Albert.  

Years ago, Doris decided to be cremated. Any donations marking her passing may be made in her honor to the Alzheimer’s Association.