HOMEGOING MEMORIAL for

PHILIP RAYMOND ALLEN

Written by Rita Young Allen

Philip Raymond Allen (commonly known as “Papa”), Husband of Rita, and Father to Christina Allen Reeves and Paul David Allen, left his Springville, Alabama home to arrive at his joyous eternal home on Tuesday, March 21. What an anticipated journey this has been! Diagnosed in September 2020 with Prostate Cancer, he was given a year to live, maybe. With a Natural Protocol in the beginning, and untold thousands of prayers, he has lived two and a half years…and what a life-changing two and a half years those have been for us all…..Divine Appointment.

Philip was a graduate of Tuscaloosa High School, his proud home of the Black Bears. He was also a graduate of Jacksonville State University with a double Masters in Public Administration and Criminal Justice.

He worked for 30 years as a Lumberjack owning his own Lawn & Tree Service. And, in addition to cutting trees, he was a carpenter, creating beautiful pieces that still have a special place in our home.

After earning his Masters late in life, he also worked at numerous facilities in the Criminal Justice and the Mental Health field. Additionally, he was a Police Officer for five years, back in the early days, before Rita.

At 6’5” and 300 pounds, Philip was quite the statue of a man, but with a very tender and kind heart.

In June of 1985, he walked into Cullman Assembly of God church and saw who he knew was going to be his wife…Rita Young…me! So sure he was of this that he asked me to marry him on our first date!

We were married six months later and never has there been a more powerful, loving bond between a husband and a wife. He realized very quickly that night, that this marriage was a package deal, with a 5-year-old son, Paul David, and an 11-year-old daughter, Christina Lynn. He told me the Lord had instructed him that his primary goal in life was to make sure that the three of us were completely cared for and never taken advantage of again, which he did, without reservation. (I will share more about this at his Celebration of Life Service.)

Philip sought God and truth daily, with all his heart, and taught his children the uncompromising love of the Father.

He paved a path for us that, without him, could never have happened.

He was a behind-the-scenes worker, not one to be up front, and was loyal to a fault. He ministered love, compassion and help to hundreds along his journey and saved some from a lifetime downward spiral.

He never met a stranger and loved to know all about everyone he met. And, he knew all the Alabama players, how old they were, how much they weighed, what position they played, how many injuries they had, what school they came from and whether they would make it in the Pros.

Philip grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama where his father, B.W. Allen, was the Chaplain of Bryce Hospital, Pastor of South Highlands Baptist Church and friends with Bear Bryant.

Three of Philip’s siblings…Becky, Anna and Bryce (died as a baby) were waiting to greet him when he arrived in that beautiful Celestial City, along with his Father, and Mother Cleat Allen. His Beloved Sister, Cecele Kraus, is still enjoying a beautiful life in the New York area, traveling frequently to visit grandchildren. His conversations with Cecele through his days were a great source of joy. Philip loved Cecele’s husband, Jerry Kraus, who preceded Philip in death, as a brother. Philip and Ed Miller, Becki’s past husband, spent most of their early life together which created a brotherly bond that was strong. Philip loved him greatly. They were Policemen together.

Also, awaiting to greet him there were my parents, Mary Young and William Charlie Young. My Daddy never met Philip on this earth so I can only imagine the marvelous conversation going on between those two Holy Men of God. They were so much alike.

Philip also had a great love for my brother, Terry Young, and his family. Terry, and his wife, Rene, were always there for him, no matter what the need and Philip took great confidence knowing that Terry would be there for me for all of life.

His precious grandchildren…Kayla, Samuel, Kristen Hope, Olivia, Tristan and Skyler were the love of his life. They brought him tremendous joy and comfort that his legacy would continue.

His beloved nieces and nephews were a source of great joy and confidence that life can go on well-lived. He talked about them often…..Lauren, Lindsey, Andrew, Janine, Wesley, JoBeth and Jordan. He loved and was greatly loved by them. Wesley Miller (Becki and Ed’s son) along with his son, James & wife, Krista, have been very faithful to Philip over the years, with special trips to Alabama. So much so, that Philip called him his son, along with Paul and Kevin.

He had a host of cousins and extended family that he loved immensely as they gave him grounding of generations past, which was very important to him. Relationships were Philip’s lifeblood. His cousin, Rhonda Dixon, has been so faithful to Philip, on several levels, and that blessed him greatly. Philip loved cousins, David and Renee Lackey, more than life, as well as their parents, Billy and Muriel Blancett, and he loved attending their church as long as he was able. Susie Francis, Hugh Grammar, Bart Young, Faye Young, Brenda and many others….all part of his family tapestry of life that gave him joy.

And, his host of Dear Friends made over the span of 70 years, meant the world to him.

Todd Davie has been to Philip the brother he never had, always being there for Philip and he loved him with a great love. Sheila Isbell was a Dear Sister he found later in life but one that loved him deeply and was always there for him. Bro. Charles Parris, who Philip affectionately called, “Pastor,” had a very big and special place in Philip’s heart. What a powerful Man of God he is! Melanie Ginn, a Sweet Sister who has been with us on this life journey for over 30 years and one of God’s most special giving hearts. Artie Shaul, a loyal and loving High School Brother who loved Philip with a soul tie. Roger Stewart…a dear Brother in the journey of natural wellness, which was Philip’s heart. Margie Baker…a Beautiful Sister with an unlimited Servant’s Heart. Reggie Kirkman…a College Brother whose relationship truly blessed Philip. John Demano, Chuck Elbell, Mark and Debbye Prator, Jon Costa, Gary and Jo Ann Hodges and Vinnie Coconato…Brothers and Sisters walking with Philip in the pursuit of truth for almost 40 years together. And many more.

And, SO many of his Classmates from High School that kept in touch over the years, some as early as first grade. You all meant so much to Philip. He loved his High School Classmates so. Even though he was really, physically, not able, he was determined to attend his 50th High School Reunion, which he did, and it meant the world to him.

Thank you, Jim and Brenda Walker for making provision for us before even really knowing us. You were instrumental in bringing us to our final home that would be a source of complete comfort during this very difficult time.

May God bless you richly.

There are times when life’s circumstances throw you together with others because of necessity that you would never meet otherwise. Such is the case with Affinity Hospice. Jonathan, your giving hands and heart made Philip’s last months gentle and pain free. You made the unthinkable, bearable. Mike, your spirit connection gave Philip refreshing conversation that kept his journey sweet. And, Chaeli…oh, my goodness, what Divine Appointment! Philip loved you so. And to all the other beautiful Affinity hands extended to us…..Thank You. You can’t begin to imagine how powerfully your kind, caring hands and hearts brought comfort to the last season of one of God’s precious servants. Divine Appointment…you were truly the Hands of God on Special Assignment. I pray blessings upon you all, “abundantly above all you can ask or think.”

And, lastly, our two wonderful children, actually four…..Christina and Kevin Reeves, and Paul and Melissa Allen. The hope of every parent is children that make this life work well. The hope of every Godly parent is children that live at the feet of Jesus. Philip and I have both. Our four children love Jesus with all their hearts and live to prove it. They walk the talk. I can’t begin to tell you the comfort that gave Philip in his most difficult days. To know he could call them, every day, and there would always be a good conversation, a deep prayer and a beautiful song, made his days all worth living, even in the midst of great difficulty and pain. They always made time for him as he traveled an earthly road that can be lonely, painful and a bit frightful at times. What a love!

In Conclusion, Philip was the Best of God’s gifts. He came to me, and Christina and Paul, with no reservations. God had revealed to him that we would be his family two weeks before he met us. (I will share more about this at the Celebration of Life Ceremony). I am blessed above all women to have walked with this kind of earthly love. He was truly a physical representation of my Heavenly Father, just as my Daddy was. I know that is the reason I have no hesitations in trusting my Heavenly Father with no Fear.

I am reminded of the great men in the Bible who, at their last moments of life, would pray a final blessing upon those they loved. Philip did this for me…repeatedly. His prayers over me filled my cup for the rest of my life, including the three angels he saw in the room helping me as I ministered to him. If all I had were Philip’s words of blessing, praise and care over me, that he has given me in these last three months of his life, I would need nothing else.

We love you, Philip, more than words on this earth. We celebrate your long-awaited joy of standing in the Presence of the Father…..

“To live is Christ; to die is gain.”

We will stay the course until the day that we too attain that prize of the high calling.