Leeman Allen

Deacon Leeman Allen, beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, great uncle, and great-great uncle departed this life on Thursday, September 23, 2021, from the Hunter Holmes
McGuire Veterans Hospital, Richmond, Virginia. Leeman Allen, a staunch and proud Virginian was born in Prospect, VA on June 5, 1922. He was the second youngest child of nine children, born to the union of George and Lena Anderson Allen.

Leeman accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior early in his childhood and was baptized at Calvary Baptist Church, Prospect, VA. He was a faithful, lifelong member of Calvary where he served in Sunday School, the Hasadiah Baptist Association, the Deacon Ministry, and as the Church Clerk. He remained active as the Lead Deacon until COVID-19 protocol requirements and his faltering health prohibited his church attendance.

On September 26, 1952, Leeman married the love of his life Jacqueline Corlethia Holt Benton. Their union produced three children, their first born, a son, Ronald Leeman, and two daughters, Wanda Faye and Carol Patrice.

Leeman served two years in the United States Army during the Korean War, and he was honorably discharged in 1951. He enjoyed working in agriculture and worked as a farmer in his youth. When the Prince Edward County Public Schools closed in 1959, Leeman moved his family to Brooklyn, New York to prevent his children’s education from being interrupted. While in New York, he was employed with the New York Transit System. In later years, while working full time as a skilled machinist, he continued to raise crops and cattle on the family farm. He worked as a machine operator for the Norfolk & Western railroad for 30 years, retiring in 1986. His activities outside of church included membership in the Prince Hall Masons, the local Farmers Bureau (past president), and the Crossroads Senior Citizens. Leeman enjoyed spending time outdoors planting what was known as the “Community Garden” because he planted a variety of vegetables that he joyfully shared with neighbors and friends. Leeman, a man of quiet demeanor, was dependable and kind, and he enjoyed helping others. His mind was sharp, and his remarkable oral account of life in Prospect and his experiences during his youth are written on the pages of Negro Students – Locked Out of Public Schools For Five Years. He was a loving and a very supportive dad and granddad. You could see his pride when he was amongst his family. Leeman was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Jacqueline, his eight siblings Casey, Strother, McCarther, Melvin, Onetha, Inez, Beulah and Otelia.

He leaves to cherish memories of his life, his children Ronald (Betty) Allen, Wanda (Howard) Ford, and Carol Hamilton; his six grandchildren, Rhonda Ford, Jocelyn Hamilton, Kimberly (Ross) Hammer, William Hamilton, Apryl Allen, and Brian Allen; three great-grandchildren, Jaxson Hammer, Asher Allen, and Alex Hammer; his caregivers, grandson William Hamilton and Mrs. Jacqueline Smith, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends.

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