Obituary of Claude Jackson Allen

Allen Claude Jackson, the 9th of 10 children, was born on April 24, 1936 in Eastville, Virginia to the late Annie Milton Garrett Allen and the late William Edward Allen Sr... He was a man with a vision even at an early age. He set out to accomplish so much in life and he was able to achieve the goals he set for himself. He attended Tennessee State University where he earned his B-achelor of Arts Degree in Accounting. His strong moral values and wisdom attained from his parents catapulted him into a life of great success in a time in history when African Americans experienced many struggles and challenges. He was able to excel academically and this led to opportunities in finance that would take his career to the next level. After graduation Claude enlisted in the United States Army for three years and served our country with pride and dignity. We are so proud of his accomplishments in being model citizen giving his service to protect the lives of all citizens. All of the Allen brothers and their father served our country faithfully and it is an honor we will never forget. Claude Allen was well on his way to an exciting life filled with great success and promise. Claude accepted a position with the Permacel Division of Johnson and Johnson and completed graduate work toward his Master's Degree in Business Administration at St. John's University in New York. He married a beautiful woman by the name of Gloria Haynes from New Brunswick, New Jersey and lived in Somerset, New Jersey. From this union they had a wonderful son named Sean Christopher Allen who is their pride and joy. During Claude's tenure at Johnson and Johnson he became a successful accountant and was sought after by many associates because of his expertise in finance to assist others with their finances. As a result of his expertise in finance Claude decided to start his own business Allen Financial Services with a business acumen that was second to none. Claude was a visionary. During the 1970s he had the grand idea to charter a Banking Institution. He was a man ahead of his time. What a visionary he was. He never followed the status quo and always sought to break the glass ceilings of life with his determination to succeed. He led a life of great dignity and morality and always encouraged his son, his siblings and others around him to seek the pinnacle of success. Claude also worked for the Internal Revenue Service in the Accounting Department, Philadelphia, PA, until his retirement. Claude departed this life on Friday, December 30, 2011 at the Bentley Nursing Home in Pennsauken, New Jersey. He will be missed by us all. Most of us remember Claude as a man who should have graced the cover of Ebony magazine not just for his great looks but for the loving father, son, brother, uncle and friend he was. With all of the amazing journeys Claude has taken in life, none pales in comparison to the journey he has taken to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Claude's life is one of a great celebration. Let us always remenmber our true purposes to serve our Lord Jesus Christ in all we do and then we will experience great success and most of all eternal life. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, William, Alvin and Robert; sisters Emma and Vivian. Claude is survived by his son, Sean Christopher Allen and his wife Brenda Allen of New Brunswick, NJ; three brothers, Timothy W. Allen Sr. of Eastville, VA, Cullen G. Allen Sr. of Bear, DE and Henry M. Allen Sr. of Upper Marlboro, MD; one sister, Annie Marie Allen Ross of Cinnaminson, NJ.