Mary Lee Allen

Her Story
On April 25, 2020 Mary L. Allen was called home to be with the Lord. Mary was born May 2, 1946 in Pineville, Louisiana, the youngest daughter of eight children to Rev. and Mrs. George Smith, Sr. Mary was baptized by the late Rev. G. C. Jacobs at the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church. She received her schooling from Jones Street Jr. High and Peabody Magnet High School.
Mary was united in marriage to the love of her life, Irby L. Allen, Sr on August 29,1969 and in 2019 celebrated 50 years of “wedded bliss!” To this union were born, Irby L. Allen, Jr and Margaret L. (Allen) Rose. Mary and Irby later relocated to the Washington, DC area where they lived in Prince George’s County, Maryland for over 30 years.

With only a high school degree, Mary began her 30-year career in banking with D.C. National Bank (now Bank of America) where she moved up the corporate ladder to eventually become a Sr. Vice President for Operations!

Mary loved sports and was a naturally gifted athlete. In high school it was track and field and basketball. Later in life Mary became an avid bowler and tennis player. One of the highlights for Mary was meeting the tennis great, Arthur Ashe. Many also knew that Mary was a “die hard” Saints and Redskins fan. She was a “fans” fan, and no one could “brag” more about their teams than Mary (especially when the Saints finally won a Superbowl).

Mary was a faithful member of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church (Alexandria, LA) until they relocated to Washington, D.C. and joined Emmanuel Baptist Church for the next 11 years. Mary sought the Lord for His guidance and on her faith later joined in membership with Le Detroit Baptist Church of Oxon Hill, Maryland under the leadership of the late Rev. Cortez Davis, D.D. Mary was a faithful member of Le Detroit for over 25 years where she served in many ministries: The Women’s Ministry, Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, New Members Ministry, the Music Ministry and the Drama Ministry. Most of all Mary loved teaching whether it was Sunday School, VBS or New Members; her love of sharing the Word of God with young and old was always evident. Mary was known by friends and family for the “Daily Inspirational” messages she emailed every day. Mary was a giver. It was often said that she would give to whomever was in need- whether it was money or time or love. Mary loved the children and would often be seen giving the young ones and some “older” ones a peppermint each Sunday. Like her “Daily Inspirationals”, everyone loved receiving Mary’s peppermints. Mary was often heard saying… “May the work I’ve done speak for me…,” and it goes without saying that she truly had a life well lived.

She leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 50 years, Irby L. Allen, Sr.; her son, Irby L. Allen, Jr. (Ruth) of Manassas, Virginia, and her daughter, Margaret L. Rose (Rodney) of Bowie, Maryland. Mary was blessed and proud to be the grandmother of 5 beautiful grandchildren, Rodney J. Rose, Jr., Madison L. Rose, Donovan C. Allen, Corey W. Allen and Cameron D. Allen.
She also leaves to cherish her memory her sister, Katie M. Gilder of Long Beach, California, her sister Clara M. Brooks of Alexandria, Louisiana, her brother Jerry Smith of Los Angles, California, her sisters-in-law, Alice Robinson of Baltimore, Maryland, Barbara Johnson of Washington D.C., Kathleen Harrell of Houston, Texas, and Doretha Hall of Trenton, MI; her “son by marriage,” James A. Rose, Jr., her “adopted” daughter, Charlene S. Clark and “adopted granddaughter,” Chanel Height of Oxon Hill, Maryland and a host of nieces, nephews and friends all of whom loved and admired her dearly.
Mary was preceded in death by her father, the late Rev. George Smith, Sr, her mother Margaret W. Smith, her sisters Lily V. Gland, Christine S. Dixon, Louise Lemott and her brother George Smith, Jr.

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