Charles Ralph "Charlie" Allen

Charlie ("Horse"), -
My friend, former schoolmate, Sears co-worker, and northside neighbor.
Your Homegoing has deeply saddened me, as I offer my condolences to your family and wife, Maxine, my childhood friend.
I have fond memories, as football teammates in junior high and high school our team won two city football championships.
For decades I have shared the story of witnessing your play as an outstanding defensive back during our 1963 Central high school football season - execute to perfection - a "dipped-shoulder, armless" torpedo tackling style, a technique later adopted by Deion Sanders, a feature that helped propel him into the NFL Hall of Fame. With your athletic prowess, I once witnessed you win a professional boxing match by technical knockout, with one powerful disabling blow to the opponent´s abdomen.
Upon your induction into the Spfld Athletic Hall of Fame - I proudly shared the video of you as the interviewee when you, with grace, articulated and accurately represented our Spfld Black community exercising diplomacy - in explaining the experiences and challenges that our community athletes faced during the social environment and times. Your induction into the Spfld Area Sports Hall of Fame was a well-deserved honor and recognition of your athletic accomplishments and contributions to the entire Spfld community.
A less known fact-You once assisted me in stopping the potential flashlight beating of a helpless, homeless man in our neighborhood by two overly aggressive law enforcement officers. Originally, you were reluctant to approach the sensitive situation for close observation. However, you stood beside me and controlled and encouraged me to exercise appropriate restraint - as we stood our ground to prevent a possible unjustified assault.
Heroic acts sometimes go unwitnessed, however, in retrospect - I believe - your willingness to "have my back" - protected two people that night. I was one of them. YOU were my hero that night.
In the later years I always appreciated the fellowship in which you welcomed and greeted me during our brief encounters.
The community will miss you my old friend, and so will I. Having men like you around - always made me - and the community feel safer. You were always a Stand-up Guy!
God Bless!
Peaceful Journey!
James (Jim) Graves
(Originally submitted Feb.12,2026)

Sending prayers along with thoughts of love and strength to my Golden Girl, Rev Montina Wallace, and Momma Maxine.

I pray Charley felt God´s presence and direction before he left this world, and that he now rests in perfect peace.

I praying for the family get they strength and comfort i didn't know her father but I knew Rev Tina in person I praying Rev Tina that God give her strength to preach her dad funeral today

My condolences, this is Keia mom, I remember meeting him, he was very welcoming, he was very excited to share his pictures of places that he had been, and the thing's that he had done, he loved his family, he showed me lot's of pictures, I loved the special relationship he had with ( our ) grandson zerehiah, I still look at the pic's of them together, Keia always talk about how fond they were of him, and how very loved he was, I know he will be truly be missed....one day at a time.......

So sorry to hear about your loss. Charlie was a great guy and we are glad to have known him.

DEEPEST CONDOLENCES

I pray for God´s peace and comfort during this difficult time for the family and friends. We extend our prayers and deepest condolences for your loss.

SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS .DEEPEST CONDOLENCES.EUGENE AND JUDY JOHNSON