Minor J. Allen, Sr.

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Minor J. Allen, Sr. made his transition at the age of 81 on Monday, June 11 in his family home. He touched so many locally and nationally in his historic lifetime in professional food services. Official letters of sympathy or donations can be sent directly to Mark Allen at National Black Wall Street Chicago, 4655 South King Drive, Suite 203, Chicago, Illinois 60653.

The most major highlights of Minor Allen Sr.' historic professional food service career and religious and civic involvement include: over 20 years at the former McCormick Hotel in Chicago where he served as restaurant manager and meetings/banquets manager; co-owner of the first Dixie Kitchen Restaurant in Hyde Park; manager of the Rev. Johnnie Coleman's Banquet Facility on 119th & Loomis known as Chicago Celebrations and other names; owner of the former Sportsmans Lounge and Deli on 79th & Halsted in Chicago; marched with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr in Chicago; member of Dr. King's Chicago SCLC 'Operation Breadbasket' headquarters in Chicago, then founding member of Operation PUSH under Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.; founding member of the original St. James Church Of God In Christ at 4147 West Roosevelt Road in Chicago under the late Bishop Jesse Campbell, now under the leadership of the late elder Bishop Campbell's son, now Bishop Willie James Campbell; founding member and current member of The Sion Temple Church Of God In Christ at the corner of 79th & Wood in Chicago under the leadership of Elder Delmus Allen, Sr, now under the leadership of Rev. William Bibbs .

He was married to Ollie Allen, his childhood sweetheart from Harrison High School from Blytheville, for 56 years before she died from breast cancer in February 2014. It seems fitting that their wedding anniversary is coming up June 29th and they are back together again in heaven. Amen.

Father to his children, Minor Allen Jr, Mark, and Michele and his two grandchildren, granddaughter DaNia Allen, and grandson Markus Allen .

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday at Southwest Memorial Chapels in Chicago. Funeral and homegoing services will be Saturday, June 23 at 10-11 a.m. (viewing) and 11 a.m. (service) at St. James Ministries C.O.G.I C in Chicago.