Rose Marie Allen's Obituary
On October 25, 1943, Rose Marie Allen, burst into the world, forever changing the lives of her parents Vallery Allen and Lucille (Anderson-Fennix) Allen. A curious, bright and talented girl, she arrived second of what would later grow into a tribe of thirteen siblings. Rose Marie became a San Diego native after her parents relocated to California from Louisiana to work for a thriving family business – the clear start to her own path to success. Rose Marie attended Midway Elementary, Memorial Junior High School and completed schooling in Los Angeles. Years later, she would pass the State exam to receive her real estate license (highest in her class, for the record!).
She built a legacy, pioneered unchartered territory, shimmied like no other and gave back as a public servant. Many of us have heard the funny, sassy stories of her days as a Go-Go Dancer. Rose Marie also worked for the City Library, a local politician and was a wildly successful real estate agent, owning a home as a single parent – an unheard-of feat during her time. More recognizably, she retired from a long, proud career on Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island where she was one of few black women supporting a variety of aerospace endeavors.
Without a doubt, she most proudly served as a no-nonsense mother, grandma-mom to a generation of grandchildren and a worshiper of her great-grands. Some knew her as a trash-talking sister, spit-fire auntie, fun-loving cousin, loyal partner or giving neighbor. Some can even recall days of a cigarette dangling from her lips and the occasional ash trail left behind. And it was unmistakable that you’d had a visit from her because of the signature red or plum lipstick kiss she left behind on many cheeks. Rose Marie didn’t hold back when it came to telling it like it is, she loved hard, danced at the drop of a beat and fought furiously for life.
Rose Marie entered Heaven’s gates on January 26, 2020. She shall go into eternal peace with the Lord and her father and mother, Vallery and Lucille Allen; son, Gerald Wesley; three brothers, Oliver, Larry and Thomas Allen; and four sisters, Henri-Etta Abdel Kader, Gwendolyn Allen, Arlene Inez Coley-Walker and Patricia Coley.
Those who will miss Rose Marie the most include her children, Lamar, Sylvia and Christina Wesley, Shelly Newbon and Donald and Toni Eden. Her granddaughter, Octavia Davis, who lovingly cared for her in the last years of her life, along with 18 more grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren. Her sister, Vallerie Allen and three brothers, Ernest Ford, Charlie and Clyde Coley and Gregory Baul, along with a daughter-in-law, Theresa Wesley and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and colleagues who mourn her passing and will cherish her memory forever.
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