Royce H. Allen

Royce was born in Lisbon, Louisiana on August 11, 1941, to his parents Edward and Leona Allen.

Royce married his wife, Mary Jane Patton, on December 9, 1960, in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Royce attended Lisbon High School, Lisbon, LA; Belmont Baptist University, Nashville, TN; Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI; and received a Bachelor’s Degree from Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.

Royce spent most of his life serving in the gospel ministry, including as senior pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Lansing for 20 years and Trinity Church in Lansing as Pastor of Care Ministries for 23 years, retiring in 2015.

Royce enjoyed spending time with family and friends, golfing with his favorite partner, Jane, sightseeing, watching the MSU Spartans, and helping Jane in the kitchen. He loved making people laugh with his many jokes and stories. Royce loved helping people in any way possible but mostly by making them feel special, loved, and good about themselves, never finding fault with anyone.

Royce is survived by his wife, Jane; daughters, Tammy Ellis (Russ Ellis, deceased) and Amy Allen (Stephen DeMers); grandchildren, Lauren Ellis (John Ranney), Andrew Ellis (Brenna Edgemon), Jack Shell (Catherine Owen Shell), and Jason Shell (Abbey Schaedig); siblings, Jack Allen (Hilda), Mary Green, Eloise McFadden, Robert Allen, Marie Ryan (Harold), brother-in-law Milburn Patton (Sherry), sisters-in-law Susan Patton, Mary Patton and Sandy Patton; plus many nieces and nephews who dearly loved their “Uncle Buddy.”

In addition to his parents, Royce was predeceased by siblings Oscar Allen, Clotilde Doster, Jaunita Rich, and Bessie Acree.

A Celebration of Life service honoring Royce will be held on August 29, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Church, 3355 Dunckel Rd, Lansing, MI. Service will be officiated by former Trinity Senior Pastor Emerson Eggerichs and current Senior Pastor Marvin Williams. A luncheon will be provided immediately following the service at the church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greastlansing.com for the Allen family.