Archia Marie Marshall Allen 

Archia passed away Friday, July 21, 2017 at her residence in Saginaw, Michigan. Archia’s family left Battle Creek during or after her junior year at Battle Creek Central high school and she ended up in Saginaw, where she united with All Nations Prayer Tower COGIC under the leadership of Supt. Louis Bishop. She married Otis C. Allen and they had four children. Archia was employed as a LPN at St. Mary’s Hospital in Saginaw for sixteen years. Archia enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially her pet dog, “Little Archia”. She was a very strong woman and gave her all to everyone. Archia enjoyed playing cards and coloring. Her favorite greeting was, “God bless you on your way.” She will be dearly missed by everyone who loved and adored her. Survivors included her daughter, Desi-Ray Allen (Victor Baker); three sons, LaShern Allen (Julie Lambel), Otis (Jeniffer) Allen III, and David Allen; several grandchildren, including Arneshia Williams and Olivia Allen; eight great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Rodney Roberson; many cousins, and many other relatives and friends. Archia was preceded in death by her mother, Demona Jackson; step-father, James Jackson; former husband and friend, Otis Allen, Jr.; and many other uncles and aunts.

Information from Archia’s obituary posted online by Paradise Funeral Chapel, Saginaw, Michigan, September 2017; the Battle Creek Enquirer, Battle Creek, MI., June 22, 1956; and the Battle Creek Central High School yearbook Battle Creek Central Paean 1964