Louise Virginia Allen

LOUISE VIRGINIA RICE FARR JOHNSON ALLEN lived to the fullest. She quietly slipped away March 18, 2006. On January 16, 1922 in Chesnee, SC, Louise, the first born of five daughters, was born to the late Willie & Clara Rice (nee Fernandez). Her parents came to Baltimore, Maryland while she was quite young. At an early age, Louise accepted Christ and was baptized in the Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Jonesville, SC. After coming to Baltimore, she attended the Fulton Baptist Church with her neighbor, the late Clara O. Reister. It was in September, 1937 that she joined the Fulton Baptist Church on Christian experience, under the pastorate of the late Dr. Benjamin F. Jackson and served under three of the five pastors, as a faithful member. She had a great love for her pastors and church family and served willingly. She was a dedicated and regular member of her church school. She served as president of the Adult Missionary Society for seven years. She was also a Deaconess and dedicated member of the Church Aid Auxiliary. Louise attended the public schools of Baltimore City, graduating from Douglass High School. She completed elementary school and went on to Booker T. Washington, Jr. High School. She also graduated from the Cortez Peters Business School and attended Morgan State College (University). Louise was joined in holy matrimony in September, 1942 to the late Willie B. Farr. Of this union, they were blessed with four daughters. After Willie B's demise, Louise met the late William (Horace) Johnson. They were joined in matrimony in June 1985. After sixteen months, Louise became a widow again. Several years later she met and married Deacon William Allen, January, 1992. She then blended the Allen family, which included Maria, Michael (deceased) Renee, Milo and Mark. Louise was a member of the Women's Auxiliary of the United Baptist Missionary Convention. She sang with the Voices of the Pre-Convention choir, until her health began to fail. Louise was also a member of the N.A.A.C.P. She was a professional seamstress and sewed for family and friends. For several years, Louise was employed to do alterations for the Crown Cleaners. She later became employed for the Baltimore City Board of Elections as a supervisor, retiring in 1987. Her culinary masterpieces were "Humming Bird" cake, black bottoms and cookies. This hobby turned into a small scale business, especially during the holidays. Another favorite hobby was competing with her sister Madge, while solving crossword puzzles. She enjoyed entertaining family and friends on a regular basis. Her great love for travel afforded her opportunities to cruise, as well as exploring geographical areas far and near, such as Italy, Hawaii, Florida and Aruba. She was an avid bowler and loved the Baltimore Orioles baseball team. She especially experienced great joy working in the vegetable garden with her husband. She leaves to mourn her passing: a devoted husband, William; four daughters, Harriett Farr (Phila., PA), Betty Gach, Joyce Gillard and Valerie Farr; four sisters, Elizabeth Goins, Madge Cannon, Dorothy Harvey and Shirley Cooper; six grandchildren, fourteen great-grand children; two sons-in-law, Robert Gillard and John Gach; six brothers-in-law, two sisters-in-law; one goddaughter, Sherrille Council; one godson, Marcus Jackson; nieces, nephews, other family and friends and her church family.

Tributes

Louise Virginia Allen

January 16, 1922 - March 18, 2006