Pastor Charles E. Allen Sr.

Charles Edward Allen, the second of six boys, was born in Statesboro, Georgia on Thursday, January 16, 1941, to Charlie James Allen, Sr. and Elizabeth Burns Allen. According to the January 16, 1941 edition of the Bullock Times and Statesboro News, a Pontiac De Luxe “Torpedo” six 2-door sedan could be purchased for $874, 4-lbs of grits for 10 cents, and 10-lbs of sweet or white potatoes for 15 cents. The temperature that day was estimated to be between the upper 40's and low 50's. Sounds pretty good? Well, the Allen’s decided to head to greener pastures when Charles was only one. The next stop was Oakland, FL and on to Sodus, New York in 1956 where Charles graduated from Sodus Central High School in 1959. Charles enlisted in the US Army in 1961 and served in Okinawa, Japan until 1964. He matriculated at Oakwood College in Huntsville, AL graduating in 1968 with a BA in Theology and continued at Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan graduating with an M. Div. degree in Theology with a minor in Business. For 40 years, as a member of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, Charles worked as a Pastor, Minister, Missionary, and Evangelist. His ministry began at Atlantic Union College (South Lancaster, Mass) as a professor and Dean of men. His vineyards included pastoring three churches in South Atlantic Conference of SDA, pioneering and initiating the work in Avon Park, Daytona, Oakland, Winter Garden, and in parts of Alabama. He never missed an opportunity to share his faith with everyone he met, including pastors of first day churches everywhere he went. Singing to the glory of God, repairing cars, and attending Disney World (riding the GE Electric Carousel) preferably with Pooh his son, were his passions. He enjoyed this ride most of all because of this song, and every year for eleven years he would take his son and wife so that he could hear the words of this song; and he made this his theme song. “Now is the time, now is the best time, now is the best time of your life. Life is a prize still every minute; open your eyes and watch how you win it. Yesterday’s memories may sparkle and gleam, tomorrow is still but a dream. Right here and now you’ve it made, the world forward marching and you’re in the parade. Now is the time, now is the best time, be it a time of joy or strife, these’s much to cheer for, it’s the best time of your life.” He was married to Denise Dyson. To this union the joy of his life, his precious son and namesake Charles Edward Allen, Jr., was born. During his 30+ years at Mt. Sinai SDA Church, Charles served faithfully with the Elders, Sabbath School, Men’s Ministry, and Music Ministry. During the church’s celebration of Black History Month, February 2020, Charles sang, at the request of Gale Jones Murphy, “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen.” With pathos and power, he sang like “... a child who do love Jesus.” Having sung his last song, Brother Charles Edward Allen, Sr. said farewell on Wednesday, February 26, 2020. Those who remain are his wife: Denise Dyson Allen; Son: Charles Edward Allen; Siblings: Charlie James (Hazel) Allen of Georgia, James Thaddeus (Barbara) Allen, of Orlando, Clarence Benjamin (Carrie) Allen of Orlando, Freddie Donnie (Isabella) of Virginia, George E. Allen, of Pensacola, and Theodore Allen of Hawaii; nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of sorrowing friends.

Tributes

Pastor Charles E. Allen Sr.

January 16, 1941 - February 26, 2020