Wilbur G. Allen

Wilbur was born in Marshall, Texas on 16 December 1935. Wilbur graduated from Lincoln High School in 1958 as a member of Harry T. Burleigh Choir and the National Honor Society, served honorably in the United States Navy from 1953 to 1956, and graduated from Bishop College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1975. Wilbur married Albertha Elizabeth Allen until 1957, Thalia Fae Allen until 1966, and Arstene Allen until 1972. Wilbur was not married at the time of his passing.

Wilbur retired in 1992 from Delta Airlines after 26 years of service where he advanced from baggage handler to customer service manager. He attended Pleasant Zion Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. Wilbur had many interests and passions. Some of his interests were music (especially jazz music), videography, photography, and his pet dogs. Miles’s Davis Kind of Blue was a favorite album. Wilbur enjoyed capturing significant events with the lens of his camera or videorecorder. His dogs Boss Man and Best Friend were a source of enjoyment and their antics made him laugh-out-loud. He loved his many friends and remained especially loyal and close to his childhood friends.

In death, Wilbur joins his mother Odessa Mildred Lightner (69), deceased February 1989; daughters Marsha Diane Vickers (45), deceased May 2005, Karen Brown-Miller (53), deceased May 2016, and grandson Darrielle DeJuan Vickers (26), deceased June 2006. Wilbur is survived by one daughter: Sophia Allen (49) of Fayetteville, North Carolina. Both Marsha and Karen blessed Wilbur with a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The three children of Karen Brown-Miller: Donnell Bragg Sr. (50) father to Donnell Bragg Jr. (29), Denisha Bragg (26); Barry Miller (33) father to Nevaeh Miller (13), Kristian Miller (12), Knowland Miller (7), and Karsyn Miller (3); Jameelah Miller (36) is mother to Jamiah Evans (12). All reside in Oakland, California.

The three children of Marsha Diane Vickers: Tangy Lynette Drawborn (42) mother to Jaimee Brown-Vickers (20), Joshua Coleman (17), Jeremiah Coleman (14), and Dewan Babers Jr. (9). J’vae Anton Vickers (39) father to Devonte Jones (23), J’vae Vickers Jr. (19), J’yvae Hall (19), J’Kala Johnson (18), and Jailyn Vickers (16). Darrielle DeJuan Vickers ((26) deceased June 2006) father to Ju’Lessa Qualls Vickers (15). All reside in Dallas, Texas.