Willie Bell Allen

Mother Willie B. Rosser Allen, affectionately known as “Sweetie,” was born in Gadsden, Alabama, to William and Ludie Young. She attended elementary and secondary school in Gadsden. She graduated from Central High School at sixteen years of age. She finished the Tuskegee Institute extension program in Gadsden and received her certificate to become a substitute teacher. She also took an adult education home economics course, where she learned to sew and became an accomplished seamstress who made clothes mainly for her children. Additionally, she took accounting classes at Gadsden State College. She was an avid reader, especially of the Bible, and never stopped learning.

She married Charlie Pitts (deceased) and to this union, two daughters were born. She later married Willie Rosser (deceased) and to this union, five children were born. She lastly married James Allen (deceased). She not only raised her seven children, but also seven of her grandchildren.

She held many jobs in her lifetime, including housekeeper, school cafeteria worker, substitute teacher, manager of a Headstart program at an elementary school, and her last job was as a daycare teacher at her daughter’s daycare center, where she served until she was ninety years old. She enjoyed being around the children who loved to hug her and affectionately called her “Grandma.” She has always believed in serving with excellence and trained her children to do that too.

Mother Allen loved the Lord and made sure her family learned about Him. She continually reminded her family and others to “be thankful to Him and bless His name.” (Psalm 100:4). She was a woman of great faith and faithfully served in the church. She accepted Christ as her personal savior and joined Galilee Baptist Church at an early age. She later moved her membership to the Pure Holiness Church of God in East Gadsden. When she remarried and moved to Anniston, Alabama, she joined Free Will Holiness Church of God, where she served faithfully. She furthered her Christian education by completing ministerial courses through the AOH Bible College. She was a member of Pure Holiness Church of God for about sixty-three years and served as a Sunday School teacher, youth leader, National Missionary president, assistant pastor, and pastor. She also ministered to many individuals and was always willing to help and give to others.

Mother Willie B. Rosser Allen finished her course in this life on April 28, 2023. She was preceded in death by two daughters, Charlsie Pitts Green and Cynthia Rosser Latham. She will be missed by many. She leaves to cherish her memory: four daughters, Sarah Pitts Zeigler of Gadsden, AL, Nellie Rosser (Causby, deceased) Mitchell of Stockbridge, GA, Phyllis Rosser (Fred) Dumas of Ellenwood, GA, and Ava Rosser (Willie) Lee of Anniston, AL; one son, Jeffery (Marilyn) Rosser of Douglasville, GA; twenty-five grandchildren; sixty-three great-grandchildren; forty-two great-greatgrandchildren; four great-great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

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