Nancy Bessie Allen

Nancy Bessie Allen born June 10, 1942 to Bessie Dawkins Green and Howard Harrell in Philadelphia, PA. Nancy was educated in the Philadelphia school systems. Nancy had a hunger and thirst after the knowledge of Christ and attended many Christian seminary and online colleges where she received her certificate in ministry.

At an early age Nancy married Orlando (Lanny) Allen after 6 years of marriage the couple separated but never divorced however they remained friends. Nancy was employed by the New York postal service where she served as a mail carrier. Nancy had a love for music and though she never took a lesson God gave her the gift to play by ear and after her time with the postal service Nancy followed her passion for music and became an organist and pianist for many churches and was also a part of many quartet groups throughout New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Florida. Nancy played for various religious organizations to include Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, and Holiness and showed no respective of person (if you needed a musician she would come).

Nancy was a fun, loving and the life of the party, she was a dare devil and would try anything once. She had many hobbies and interest music, singing, karate, karaoke and having a good time with family and friends. Nancy was truly a mother’s child and when her mother retired and moved from Philadelphia to Jacksonville in 1992, she followed. Nancy was a faithful and devoted member of the House of Bethel Spirit of Truth Ministries where God called her into the Ministry. Nancy was ordained as a Teaching Minister in November 2016. Before her hearing left, she was also the church pianist, choir director and despite all she had been through would always tell others about the goodness of the Lord.

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, Orlando (Lanny) Allen; brothers, Robert Wilcox and James Nelson; and sister Charlene Johnson.

Nancy is survived by her mother, Bessie Green; sister Barbara Dowling; brothers, O. Rickie Nelson and R. Irvin Thomas; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many sorrowing friends.

Sarah L. Carter's Funeral Home Northside is serving the family.

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