Rev. Lawrence Delbert Allen

STE. GENEVIEVE- Lawrence "Delbert" Allen of rural Ste. Genevieve County passed from this life to be with his Savior on Saturday, February 11, 2012, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, at the age of 85 years. He was born April 13, 1926 at Perryville. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Fay (Hardy) Allen, his parents, the late Lawrence and Launieta Mary Catherine (Favier) Allen, five brothers, Raymond, Walker, Hadley, Vallie, and Truman "Buddy" Allen, and a sister, Edith "Trudi" Lane.

Delbert proudly served his country during WWII in the Army as a part of the forces which liberated the Philippines and later occupied Japan. After the war he returned to Missouri and on May 12, 1950, in Potosi, married Mildred Fay Hardy who preceded him in death on May 21, 2010 after 60 years of marriage. Delbert was an accomplished guitar player, playing for several Gospel groups in the area, his most prized being The King's Ambassadors, which consisted of himself, his three daughters and two "adopted"sons, Don Brewer and Ted Barnhouse. Brother Allen was an ordained and faithful minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, having served as pastor at: Pujol Baptist Church at Kaskaskia, IL, Little Vine Baptist Church at Sprott, Coffman Baptist Church at Coffman, Unity Baptist Mission at Potosi, and Genevieve Baptist Church in Ste. Genevieve County. At the time of his passing, Brother Allen was a member of the First Baptist Church of Doe Run. He retired from Mississippi Lime Company after 40 years of service.

Brother Delbert will be missed by all those who knew and loved him, including three daughters, Sharon J. Drattlo of Barnhart, Cheryl J. Glackin and husband Bill of Crystal City, and Debbie Crow and husband Bill of Waddell, AZ, 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, a brother Milo Allen of Festus, a sister, Lois J. Fritsche of Perryville, two close family friends, Ted Barnhouse and Don Brewer, nieces, nephews, cousins, numerous neighbors and close friends from all the communities where he served in the ministry.

The family will receive friends at Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 from 5-9 p.m. Visitation will resume on Wednesday at 7 a.m. A funeral service will follow at the Cozean Chapel at 10 a.m. with the Reverend Keith Huffman and Brother Lynn Sansoucie officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Genevieve Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. All arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the Cozean Memorial Chapel and Crematory. View the tribute video and share your condolences and memories at cozean.biz.