Obituary for L.T. Foster Allen
Mr. L.T. Foster Allen entered into eternal rest on October 23, 2022, at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, North Carolina. L.T. was born on May 27, 1945, in Selma, Alabama. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, James and Rosalene Allen, as well as his sister, Ida Mae Robinson Thomas.
L.T. was married to his lovely wife, Rebecca for 39 years, and to this union they had one child, (Dr.) Christina Allen of Hyattsville, Maryland. He also had 3 other beautiful children from prior unions: Stanley Campbell of Puyallup, Washington, Shaunnan Allen Cook of Huntsville, Alabama and Rosa Allen Cooper of Decatur, Alabama.
L.T. was a proud graduate of Selma University and Alabama A&M University. He began his professional career with the United States Forest Service immediately following graduation. However, that career was abruptly interrupted when he was drafted into the United States Army, stationed out of Fort Monmouth Army Base, in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. He was then assigned to Long Bien, Vietnam and heroically fought in the Vietnam War alongside so many other brave young men and women. L.T. completed his military duty with the United States Army in December 1968.
The proud young soldier immediately returned to his civilian career with the United States Forest Service, which began as a dormitory manager at the Lyndon B. Johnson Job Corps Center, located in Franklin, North Carolina. He then went on to teach math in the Center’s educational program. This promising young educator was then promoted to principal at Schenck Job Corps Center in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, where he played an integral part in helping young people ages 16-24 improve their lives by empowering them to acquire quality jobs and ultimately to become their best selves. Congruently, while actively serving as an educator, L.T. continued his long and outstanding military career with the North Carolina National Guard from 1975 through 1985, followed by his continued service to our country with the United States Air Force Reserves, as a Staff Sergeant, stationed at Charleston Air Force Base in Charleston, South Carolina from 1985 through 1997.
L.T. ended his career with the USDA Forest Service in January 2004, completing 37 years of dedicated service. However, not quite ready for a life of retirement, he began a second career as the healthcare advancement training coordinator at Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina, where he worked from 2004 through 2010.
In addition to L.T.’s military and civilian career, he was a fervent advocate for social justice, which earned him national recognition as a “Foot Soldiers For Justice Award” recipient. While a student at Selma University, he marched and was jailed with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., while advocating and fighting for civil rights. His passion for social justice continued throughout life, in which he served as a chief judge of the Transylvania County Board of Elections and remained an active member of the NAACP. He was also an active member of the Gizel Temple #162, Oasis of Asheville, and a loyal FreeMason. L.T. also proudly served as President of the Crystal Creek Property Owners Homeowner’s Association for 25 years.
Mr. Allen was a faithful member of Glade Creek Baptist Church in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, and a loyal and dedicated member of his home church, New Hope #1 Missionary Baptist Church, in Thomasville, Alabama. While serving at Glade Creek, he was a committed church trustee, valued member of the men’s fellowship committee, and was one of the founders of the church’s tutorial program, The Village Keepers. L.T. always lovingly assisted his wife with various church beautification projects, and most especially enjoyed assisting with the church’s graduation “Wall of Fame”, which honored all high school, college, and post-graduate church-affiliated students. This quiet and soft spoken man was always there to lend a listening ear to anyone in need. He earned everyone’s respect by just being an all-around dynamic soldier for Christ.
L.T. leaves to celebrate his homegoing: his wife, Rebecca Wheeler Allen; his children: Stanley Campbell (Gwen) of Puyallup, Washington, Shaunnan Allen Cook of Huntsville, Alabama, Rosa Allen Cooper (Orrin) of Decatur, Alabama, and Christina Allen of Hyattsville, Maryland; five grandchildren: Crystal Campbell-Thompson, Chantress Campbell, Orrin Cooper, Jr., Asher Cook and Jordan Cooper; two great-grandchildren: Calia and Cambria, along with a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and friends to include two of his most treasured friends: James Nobles (friend since 1st grade), and Willie Harmon (valued former co-worker and daily phone buddy).
Funeral services will be held for L.T. on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at 12:00 p.m., at Glade Creek Baptist Church, located at 35 Smith Road, Pisgah Forest, North Carolina. Viewing will begin at 11 a.m., prior to the beginning of services. Memorials may be made in L.T.’s honor to The American Heart Association at heart.org. In addition, the family is in the process of establishing an educational scholarship in his name at his beloved alma mater, Alabama A&M University to promote his commitment to education and continued learning.
In lieu of flowers, the family has opted to honor L.T.’s legacy of 37 years of service with the United States Department of Agriculture, by financially supporting students in need.
“The L.T. Allen Educational Scholarship Fund” will establish a scholarship(s) for students demonstrating financial need, attending Alabama A&M’s School of Agriculture. 100% of the money will go to a deserving A&M student.
Please consider tax deductible donation which will be matched, if offered by your company. We appreciate all your support in helping the advancement of agricultural representation amongst minority, especially black students; a lifelong passion of L.T.’s.
Link below:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/aau/restriction/L+T++Allen+Educational+Memorial+Fund
To leave a condolence for the family of L.T. Foster Allen, please visit Tributes, at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com.
L.T. was married to his lovely wife, Rebecca for 39 years, and to this union they had one child, (Dr.) Christina Allen of Hyattsville, Maryland. He also had 3 other beautiful children from prior unions: Stanley Campbell of Puyallup, Washington, Shaunnan Allen Cook of Huntsville, Alabama and Rosa Allen Cooper of Decatur, Alabama.
L.T. was a proud graduate of Selma University and Alabama A&M University. He began his professional career with the United States Forest Service immediately following graduation. However, that career was abruptly interrupted when he was drafted into the United States Army, stationed out of Fort Monmouth Army Base, in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. He was then assigned to Long Bien, Vietnam and heroically fought in the Vietnam War alongside so many other brave young men and women. L.T. completed his military duty with the United States Army in December 1968.
The proud young soldier immediately returned to his civilian career with the United States Forest Service, which began as a dormitory manager at the Lyndon B. Johnson Job Corps Center, located in Franklin, North Carolina. He then went on to teach math in the Center’s educational program. This promising young educator was then promoted to principal at Schenck Job Corps Center in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, where he played an integral part in helping young people ages 16-24 improve their lives by empowering them to acquire quality jobs and ultimately to become their best selves. Congruently, while actively serving as an educator, L.T. continued his long and outstanding military career with the North Carolina National Guard from 1975 through 1985, followed by his continued service to our country with the United States Air Force Reserves, as a Staff Sergeant, stationed at Charleston Air Force Base in Charleston, South Carolina from 1985 through 1997.
L.T. ended his career with the USDA Forest Service in January 2004, completing 37 years of dedicated service. However, not quite ready for a life of retirement, he began a second career as the healthcare advancement training coordinator at Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina, where he worked from 2004 through 2010.
In addition to L.T.’s military and civilian career, he was a fervent advocate for social justice, which earned him national recognition as a “Foot Soldiers For Justice Award” recipient. While a student at Selma University, he marched and was jailed with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., while advocating and fighting for civil rights. His passion for social justice continued throughout life, in which he served as a chief judge of the Transylvania County Board of Elections and remained an active member of the NAACP. He was also an active member of the Gizel Temple #162, Oasis of Asheville, and a loyal FreeMason. L.T. also proudly served as President of the Crystal Creek Property Owners Homeowner’s Association for 25 years.
Mr. Allen was a faithful member of Glade Creek Baptist Church in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, and a loyal and dedicated member of his home church, New Hope #1 Missionary Baptist Church, in Thomasville, Alabama. While serving at Glade Creek, he was a committed church trustee, valued member of the men’s fellowship committee, and was one of the founders of the church’s tutorial program, The Village Keepers. L.T. always lovingly assisted his wife with various church beautification projects, and most especially enjoyed assisting with the church’s graduation “Wall of Fame”, which honored all high school, college, and post-graduate church-affiliated students. This quiet and soft spoken man was always there to lend a listening ear to anyone in need. He earned everyone’s respect by just being an all-around dynamic soldier for Christ.
L.T. leaves to celebrate his homegoing: his wife, Rebecca Wheeler Allen; his children: Stanley Campbell (Gwen) of Puyallup, Washington, Shaunnan Allen Cook of Huntsville, Alabama, Rosa Allen Cooper (Orrin) of Decatur, Alabama, and Christina Allen of Hyattsville, Maryland; five grandchildren: Crystal Campbell-Thompson, Chantress Campbell, Orrin Cooper, Jr., Asher Cook and Jordan Cooper; two great-grandchildren: Calia and Cambria, along with a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and friends to include two of his most treasured friends: James Nobles (friend since 1st grade), and Willie Harmon (valued former co-worker and daily phone buddy).
Funeral services will be held for L.T. on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at 12:00 p.m., at Glade Creek Baptist Church, located at 35 Smith Road, Pisgah Forest, North Carolina. Viewing will begin at 11 a.m., prior to the beginning of services. Memorials may be made in L.T.’s honor to The American Heart Association at heart.org. In addition, the family is in the process of establishing an educational scholarship in his name at his beloved alma mater, Alabama A&M University to promote his commitment to education and continued learning.
In lieu of flowers, the family has opted to honor L.T.’s legacy of 37 years of service with the United States Department of Agriculture, by financially supporting students in need.
“The L.T. Allen Educational Scholarship Fund” will establish a scholarship(s) for students demonstrating financial need, attending Alabama A&M’s School of Agriculture. 100% of the money will go to a deserving A&M student.
Please consider tax deductible donation which will be matched, if offered by your company. We appreciate all your support in helping the advancement of agricultural representation amongst minority, especially black students; a lifelong passion of L.T.’s.
Link below:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/aau/restriction/L+T++Allen+Educational+Memorial+Fund
To leave a condolence for the family of L.T. Foster Allen, please visit Tributes, at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com.