Eugene Allen

Native American Spirituality teaches that human lives follow a path like that of the sun as it travels around the earth. From the East to the West each of the four directions brings gifts and lessons. The sunrise in the East represents the place of new beginnings. The East is the place of birth and re-birth. Eugene Allen was born March 3, 1933. He was the third child of Joseph Allen Sr. and Charity Allen. Eugene’s life journey began in the Legrand/Varney neighborhood where from a loving family and caring neighborhood he experienced the importance of strong family ties and the importance of a supportive community. The number three played a significant role in his life (Birthdate 3/3/33, and third child). The number three has the energy of kindness, joy, creativity, and imagination. It symbolizes the interconnectedness of the body, mind and spirit and is carefully aligned with the divine energy. Eugene exhibited all of these attributes.

The South is the direction of the sun at its highest point. It is the place of youth and vigor. It is the time for preparing for the future. Eugene attended Cooper Elementary School and Burroughs Intermediate School in Detroit. He went on to graduate from Wilbur Wright high School with a specialty in Auto Mechanics. He used these skills to refurbish a 1946 Mercury which he named “The Blue Goose”. Eugene was baptized and joined the Elyton Missionary Baptist Church. Eugene was employed by the City of Detroit at a young age and went on to become a supervisor of street work crews. He married Helen Allen and they had two daughters, Myra and Regina.

The West is the direction from which darkness comes into the world. This is a time to look within and dream. One gift of the West is to accept ourselves as we really are. Eugene, through scripture study, grew in his spirituality and became the Sunday School Superintendent at Elyton Missionary Baptist Church. He had an intense interest in the youth of Elyton Missionary Baptist Church. Eugene did all that he could to assure that the young people have the resources to help them succeed in life. He consistently offered support and encouragement. He married Viola Bailey and adopted her children as his own.

The North is the direction of winter and the place for elders. The elders use the lessons learned and the gifts received to become role models for others. Eugene knew the Lord as his personal Savior and lived so as to be a beacon to others. The Fruit of the Spirit was evidenced in his Love, Joy and Peace. He was a quiet person but when he spoke everyone listened. His strong faith shone through in his kindness, goodness and gentleness. He found his true love and married Mary Foote on July 19, 2014. Many friends and family commented on how the love between them could be seen and felt. Mary’s family welcomed him into the family and adopted him as a father and grandfather to the family. He became a father to Mary’s daughters, Vanessa and LaSharon.

The North is also the direction of completion. Eugene completed his life journey on April 5, 2020 in the loving care of his wife Mary. Family and friends came to surround him with love and praises to God.
He was preceded in death by his parents, second wife (Viola), four brothers: Joseph, Clarence, Alvin, and Richard, two daughters: Myra and Regina, one son: James Bailey and one grandson Sorrell Fielder. He leaves to cherish his memory three daughters: Vanessa Samuels (Robert), LaSharon Jasper, Deborah Bell (Robert), one son: Ronald Bailey, eleven grandchildren: Lawrence Epperson (Marlena), Tracey Faison and Kalin Allen (Frederica), Kimberly Fielder, James Eugene Fielder, Eboni McEwen, Darius Young, Brandon Young, Christopher Jasper, Blake Moore, Darius Bush, one sister: Doris Allen, and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.