Ruby Lonesome Allen

Ruby L. Allen was born in Pennsylvania on June 3, 1932 to the late Ruth M. Kates and Louis A. Lonesome. She was an accomplished music educator in the Princess Anne County/Virginia Beach area where she taught for 47 years. During that period, she taught vocal music in grades K through 12. Her passion for education began at Princess Anne County Training School, renamed Union-Kempsville High School for African American Children where she graduated with honors in 1948. She returned to teach at the same school in 1952. Dr. Allen was the first African American choral teacher in the African American elementary and high schools in the city. The last twenty years of her career were spent at Green Run High School. While there she taught Music Appreciation and Music Theory. In addition, she directed the Girl’s Chorus, the Concert Choir, The Madrigal/Jazz Choir. Further, she served as the chairperson of the Fine Arts Department and musical director for many productions in the Drama Department. Under her direction, Union-Kempsville High School choirs consistently won superior ratings in festival competitions. She also sat many Green Run High School students in District, State, and All-Virginia Honors Choir. She was an Adjudicator and guest Choir Director at high schools in various districts across the Hampton Roads area, to include: The Last Walk Choir, Union-Kempsville High School, opening ceremony of the PACT Highschool Museum, (located in the newly erected Renaissance Academy, built on the property formerly purchased by the parents and friends of PACTS/UK, Virginia Beach, VA.) Recognized as Teacher of the Year at Bayside Junior High, Union-Kempsville High, and Green Run High schools. And, recognized as Virginia Music Educator of the Year by the choral music educators in District II. Dr. Allen earned a Bachelor of Science from Virginia State College, Master of Science from Virginia Commonwealth University, and her Doctorate from the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music. St. Mark RZUA Church, where her husband, Reverend James Oliver Allen, Sr. pastored for 45 years, she served as choir director. She was also the choir director at Mt. Olive Baptist Church and interim organist at Shiloh Baptist Church, Norfolk. In 1998 she joined Second Calvary Baptist Church where she served as director of the Dr. Ruby L. Allen Music Academy, co-director of the Women’s Day Choir, and pianist. She also served as co-director of Grace, the Women’s Day Choir of First Baptist, Norfolk, and the former director of the Women’s Day Choir at the New Hope Church of Christ, Norfolk. Dr. Allen held memberships with the National Association of Music Education, the Red Hat Society, Retired Educators of Virginia, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and The I. Sherman Greene Chorale, with whom she also sang. She was predeceased by her husband, Reverend James Oliver Allen Sr., and their sons James O. Allen Jr. and David A. Allen Sr. as well as her brother Louis A. “Bubbie” Lonesome, Jr. She leaves to cherish her memory eight grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law, daughters-in-law, nieces and a host of relatives, friends, and students. She lived her life believing that “She can do all things through Christ who strengthens her!”.