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Celebrating the life of Barbara V. Allen
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Obituary for Barbara V. Allen
A celebration of Barbara's life will occur on
Thursday, July 1, 2021
Vine Memorial Baptist Church 5537-39 West Girard Avenue Philadelphia, Pa. 19131
Viewing: 10:00 -11:00 a.m.
Service:11:00 a.m.
Live Streaming is being offered:
Go to www.cwoodfh.com . Click the third box under Barbara's picture Click "watch Webcast:"
The Live Stream Service will begin at: 10:45 a.m.
We request family and friends who prefer to send plants or flowers, to coordinate with one of the following reliable local florists:..
Have the florist deliver your selection to the church no later than 8:30 a.m. the day of the service.
DUE TO A GLITCH IN OUR SYSTEM PLEASE DISREGARD THE FOLLOWING NOTATION REGARDING ANY ORDERS INCLUDING FLOWERS, CANDLES OR MEMORIAL TREE PLANTINGS WITH THE TRIBUTE STORE!!!! THANK YOU!!
“No words of sympathy can ease the hurt or pain we feel; but thoughts and memories last as long as time endures, so as our treasured memories grow with each tomorrow, may they become a source of peace and comfort in our sorrow.”
BARBARA V. CARTER ALLEN began her journey on December 2, 1933 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and completed her journey Saturday, June 26, 2021. She was the only child born to Herman B. Valentine and Arneda Valentine (nee Finch).
Barbara was educated in the Philadelphia public school system, where she took on a leadership role being class president of her middle school. She graduated from Overbrook High School, after which she attended Temple University. Barbara’s professional work-life spanned many decades in which she received numerous awards and citations, and ended when she retired from an illustrious thirty plus year career as a Contract Specialist with the United States Department of the Navy.
As a young adult, Barbara met and married Melvin Carter in 1957. From this union one daughter, Leslie Karen Carter was born. After some years, this union was dissolved. In later years, Barbara met and was married for thirty years to Eugene Allen, Sr. who preceded her in death in 2015.
Barbara’s Christian experience began very early. As a little girl, she started on her journey of faith attending Vine Street Baptist Church with friends for many years. Barbara was an active church member with extensive involvement in various ministries and activities at Vine Memorial Baptist Church. Her decades of service at “Vine” included serving as Secretary to the Board of the Vine Memorial Federal Credit Union, Financial Secretary of the Hospitality Ministry, and she was a major contributor serving in “Vine’s” Archive Ministry where she became one of her church’s major historians. In fact, people could ask Barbara almost anything about her church and “its good old days” and she was always ready and willing to share all that she knew about Vine Memorial.
Barbara was committed to both her church and her Philadelphia community, volunteering in various type activities – such as a USO volunteer and chaperone; serving many terms on the Board of the Southwest Belmont YWCA. She especially enjoyed coordinating and participating in many fashion shows at Vine Memorial, Mt. Carmel Baptist Church as well as other community organizations. She was often sought out to participate as a commentator and model. She had a strong sense of style, sophistication and keen eye for fashion; coordinating her outfits and she loved wearing her “Sunday hats” to church. Oh, don’t forget the shoes … she really enjoyed shopping and getting “gussied-up” from head-to toe. Probably Barbara’s most joyous thing to do was spending time with her daughter, Leslie – in fact, she often professed that Leslie was her carbon copy! She was a loyal, trusted and compassionate neighbor, friend and was “Like-A-Mom” to several adopted sons and daughters. Barbara lived through times of war and peace, depression, economic recovery, the era of the baby boom, space shuttles, the information highway, and the inauguration of the first Black President of the United States of America. In addition, she was privileged to witness incredible advancements in travel, technology and social change. During her eighty-seven years of life, Barbara contributed in her own special way as a productive individual, possessing wonderful characteristics that made the world a better place.
“Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4) Barbara touched many lives and she will be remembered and live on in the hearts of many. She leaves to cherish precious memories: a devoted daughter, Leslie K. Carter; a sister, Virginia Lee of Salisbury, Maryland; host of cousins, other relatives and friends.
