Charles L. Allen was born to Preston and Vera Allen in Leflore County in Mississippi on September 16, 1948.  Charles would be the second of 4 children born to his parents.

Charles accepted Christ at an early age, and joined the Zion Rock Missionary Baptist Church where his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins were all faithful members.  Charles was baptized by Rev. N. H. Frazier, the pastor of the Zion Rock.

As a youth, it was customary that we attend Sunday School each Sunday morning, Baptist Training Union meetings, and participate in the youth choir or serve in any capacity that a youth could serve in ministry.  Our parents brought us up to actively work in the church.

Charles attended McNair Elementary, Junior High and High School. During high school Charles participated in the school chorus where his love for singing developed and flourished. It was during this time and  under the leadership of two outstanding vocal music educators, Mrs. Betts and Mrs. Lawrence, Charles developed a love for vocal music of many styles and genres. He also discovered that he had vocal talent.

Because of our parents love for music and singing, and seeing that their home had become a place where family and friends would gather to just sing, Vera and Preston organized the Belzoni Youth Choir, a gospel choir featuring the neighborhood youths in their small town. This youth choir provided and outlet for young Christians to participate in ministry as they performed in churches and traveled throughout Humphrey County singing praises and spreading God's word in song.

The Allen children,(cousins and all) were very involved in this choir that began in their home.

After graduating from McNair High School, Charles attended Mississippi Valley State College (MVC during that time) located in Itta Bena, Mississippi, where he majored in Biology. Charles also performed and toured with the college chorus and was featured as a soloist in many college concerts.

Just short of graduating from MVSC, Charles enlisted in the United States Army. He was stationed for many years in Germany where he met and married Karin.  Charles became the beloved stepfather to Sybille, Karin's daughter who is affectionately called "Bibi". Charles and Karin also gave birth to a son, Rene. Charles, while being stationed in Germany learned to speak German fluently and continued singing performing with a singing group during off times. During the early 1980's Charles was re-assigned back to the states where he continue his career in the military.  He was stationed in Texas where he moved with his family. Charles also sang on the military base for chapel services on Sundays.

Sergeant 1 ^st Class Charles Allen, retired from the military in 1994 with 24 years of service to our country and chose to make Texas his home.

After Karin's death, Charles met and fell in love with Alicia Johnson. Together with Alicia as an adoptive parent to her niece and nephews, Charles assisted in rearing Melina, Jesse and Marc and co-grandparenting Melina's children, Aaliyah, Camillah and Robert, who lovingly call Charles "Popo".

Charles is preceded in death by Karin Allen, his first wife and mother of his children Sybille and Rene; his parents, Preston and Vera Allen, a niece and nephew Carolyn Rene Allen and Willie Nunn.

Those left to miss him are Alicia Johnson his companion and compassionate care giver; his children, a son, Rene Allen (Monique), a daughter, Sybille Stagner (Earnest), grandchildren T.J. Stagner, Jaylynn Stagner, Brianna Niblett, Brittany Niblett, Brandi Niblett, Melina Johnson, Jesse Martinez, and Marc Guzman, Aaliyah Sanchez, Camillah Sanchez and Robert Sanchez; his brothers, Rev. Preston Allen Jr. (Mickie), Rev. Morris Allen (Audrey), sisters, Dorothy "Jackie" Pennington( Rev. Walter) and Etter Anderson(Frank), and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins and many friends.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 27, 2022 at Guardian funeral home chapel.
Burial will follow with Full Military Honors at the Coastal Bend State Veterans cemetery 9974 I.H. 37 North Access Rd.