Rosa Bell Allen

Rosa Bell Dickens Allen was born the oldest of seven children on March 23, 1929, to Daisy Bell Snow Dickens and Lincoln Dickens in Norfolk, VA. She is survived by her siblings Mildred Griggs (Paul) (Norfolk, VA) and James Dickens (Norfolk, VA). Rosa graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, VA in 1948. On April 3, 1954, she married George LeRoy Allen from the U.S. Navy and moved to Pittsburgh, PA. From that union, they had three children, Cynthia, Jeffrey, and Anthony Allen (from oldest to youngest, respectively). She worked at Westinghouse Electric Company for a short period before working as a lunch aid at Lemington Elementary School. After many years, she retired from the Pittsburgh Board of Education. While in retirement, she decided to go back to work at McDonald’s until 2006. She was a devout member of St. James Baptist Church for over 40 years and often referred to the congregation as her “other family.” She embodied the meaning of faithful and loving service and took every opportunity to show up for her community. She served as Head of the Usher Board and volunteered for various ministries within the church, including Sunday Morning Breakfast and drives to provide free school supplies to children in the neighborhood. She had a strong ethos predicated on her love for God and a commitment to her people. She was a community activist from the mid-1960s through the late 1970s. She marched for Welfare Rights with local councilmen and community officials and never shied away from challenging the representatives she worked with to keep the people first. Throughout her life, she could be heard professing the Word of God, speaking her mind about the social and political climate, and sharing her vast historical knowledge. Rosa lived a testimonial life and she held dear the 91st Psalm. Through the strength of her convictions and a righteously led life, she found fulfillment in spreading God’s Word, especially to young people. Among her family, she was known as the “Street Prophet,” taking any moment along her journey to share the importance of God’s teachings and His countless blessings in her life. She basked in the light of the Lord and invited all to bask with her. The family was of invaluable measure to Rosa. She loved her family deeply, kept tabs on everyone, and allowed the love of her family to radiate out to others. Many in the community saw Rosa as another mother, aunt, or grandmother. She fell easily into the good graces of everyone she met, consistently emitting a boundless desire to connect with those around her. She was predeceased by her parents, Daisy Bell Snow Dickens and Lincoln Dickens, husband, George LeRoy Allen, the youngest son, Anthony Allen, and her siblings, Lincoln Dickens Jr., Frank Dickens, Daisy Ruth Dickens, and Eugene “Dinky” Dickens. Also left to cherish her memories are six great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of many friends. Left in a legacy of love, fearlessness, and devotion are her daughter Cynthia AllenRussell (Benjamin) (Bel Air, MD), son Jeffrey Allen (Boston, MA), and grandchildren, Dawndra Allen, LaRee Featherstone, Omari Russell, Nailah Russell, and Evelyn Black. We are endlessly thankful for the blessing of Rosa Bell as a loving mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, cousin, and friend. She is resting with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and we rejoice in her return home.

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