Doris Turner Allen

Doris Louise Turner Allen, who we called Doe and Mom-e and others called Mother-in-law, Miss Doris, Mama Doe, Sister Allen and friend, departed her loving family to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 12, 2021.

Doris was born in Jonesboro, Louisiana, on October 29, 1941, to union of the late Henry and Josephine Hamilton Turner.  Upon her arrival there was a brother waiting on her, Woodrow Thomas.  She and Woody or Brother as she most often called him were the best of siblings.  As often as he could, Woodrow kept a watchful eye on his little sister.  Doris learned the beauty and love for family from her parents.  Both Henry and Josephine came from large families and from time to times the families would gather with friends at each others homes and celebrate family. Doris got to experience true family love and carried that trait with her wherever she went.

She attended Hawk Elementary and graduated from Jackson High School where she was a vital member of the basketball team.  Her classmates all proclaimed that Doris was a smart student.  In furthering her knowledge, she received certifications of excellence in the fields of health care and the culinary arts through the Louisiana professional education system.

At an early age, Doris became a member of Brown Grove Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir. Doris enjoyed going to the movies, dancing, and participating in community rallies. She was quite an activist and held very strong views on civil rights.

Jonesboro being a small town, Doris new almost everybody. One could say that she never met a stranger. She loved the company of her cousins, particularly Fred Miller Thomas and his wife Eva Mae. Doe once called their place “The House of Blues”.  It was Doris’ place of refuge from Madea, Mrs. Josephine.  As young woman, Doris even had her own crew. It included Netra Joe, Lenora Kimble, Queen Esta Thompson, Rose Mary Abad,” Lil” Doris McNeal, Lucille Jackson Smith, and Zandra Hall Washington to name a few.  She remained in contact with most of them throughout her life.

Doris gave birth to her first son, James Ray Turner on August 12,1957 in Jonesboro, Louisiana.  Here life took on a more serious plan for Doris.  To support her family, she took on a variety of jobs. First working as the “help”, which included cooking and providing maid type services for certain families. She worked at chicken processing plant in Farmersville, Louisiana and she even worked on the assembly line at the Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant in Minden, Louisiana.

With the idea of more employment opportunities, Doris was enticed by her cousin, Selena Sawyer to move to Leesville, Louisiana.  There she was introduced to Mrs. Juanita Conerly, and her daughter Cheryl.  Mrs. Conerly became a second mother to Doris, and Cheryl became a little sister. Mrs. Conerly provided stability until she could get on her feet.  It was in Leesville where Doris’ professional training was put to action.  She took on two jobs.  She became a cook at Ross Continental Motor Lodge and became a Certified Nurse Aide at War Memorial Hospital.

It was during this time in Leesville that Miss Doris met the love of her life, Retired Army Sargent Mark Allen Jr.  Sargent Allen was stationed at Fort Polk Army Base following three tours in Vietnam. Through this relationship, Doris gave birth to another son, Mark Anthony Turner on August 12, 1968.  Shortly after Mark’s birth the couple was joined in marriage.   This marriage remained faithful until Sargent Allen was called home to Glory on February 28, 2007.

Upon returning to Jonesboro to care for her aging parents, Doris experienced all kinds of difficulties, trials, and test. With the help of the Lord, she managed to provide them with comfort until they were both called home.  It was following this episode that Mom-e felt the tug of the Lord at her heart. Proverbs 22:6 says, “train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.  She and her cousin Selena began over the phone Bible Studies.  She would have faith discussions with her friends Irma Glands, Sister Joyce Weems, Reverend Artez Jones and Bishop Kelvin Stewart. Faith and her boys became her focal point.

With health concerns of her own, Doe made a decision to move to Denver, Colorado where her son, Reverend James Turner was supposed to keep an eye on her. Imagine that task. God was already working in her favor.  Before she moved, Sister Lois Murray of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church had secured an apartment for her in the Dahlia Square Senior Living Facility.  She immediately became a member of Bethlehem, under the leadership Pastor Henry Miles.  Along with attending regular worship services, she faithfully attended Sunday school and Bible study.  She was also a member of the Mission Auxiliary.  Because of her faithfulness, Pastor Miles appointed her to the position of Assistant Sunday School Secretary and made her a Honorary Member of the Usher Board.  Momma Doe truly loved serving the Lord and was often seen in representation at other community church events. Mother Allen was instrumental in establishing the Saturday Morning Mission Bible Study at her living facility.  Sister Allen remained faithful until death.

She was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Josephine Turner, her brother, Woodrow Thomas, and her husband, Retired Sargent Mark Allen, Jr.

Doris Louise Turner Allen, Doe, Mom-e, Mother-in-law, Miss Doris, Mama Doe, Sister Allen, Sister, Auntie, Cuz, or Sue leaves behind to cherish and share her loving memories, her two sons, James (Kathy) Turner of Aurora, Colorado, and Mark Turner of Athens, Ohio. Grand children, Great Grandchildren, relatives, and loved ones will share their memories abroad.