Lareda Allen

Lareda Allen was born on June 27, 1946 in Linden Texas to Rue Lee & Mae Reda Allen. She was the second of four children born to this union. The family moved from Linden to Portland in 1948 and joined Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church in 1951 under the leadership of the late Dr. O.B. Williams.

Lareda was educated in the Public Schools of Portland and graduated from Jefferson High School. She worked for several years at Owens-Illinois Glass Company and for over 30 years she worked for the United States Postal Service where she retired in 2010.

She gave her life to Christ at an early age and continued to serve the Lord in a variety of roles at Vancouver Avenue under the leadership of Pastor J.W. Matt Hennessee. She loved her Church and her Church girlfriends with whom she spoke frequently during the week on the phone. She was often found working in the kitchen at Church as a member of the Hospitality Committee. And she served on the Drum Major Scholarship Fund Committee helping to put together the “Empower the Dream” and “Salute to Greatness” events for several years. She would also take members to their doctor’s appointments, chemo or radiation treatments, and visited them in their hospital or care center rooms.

Lareda was known by her family and friends to be a walking medical dictionary. She knew something about everything that might be a medical disorder and was seen as “doctor” to her father, first, and years later by her children and grandchildren. Although she was not really a “doctor” her passion for learning even outside the medical profession was enhanced by her decision to enroll as a student at Portland State University where she excelled in general studies. She was also known to make a great broccoli salad for special events which was quite good and loved by all. She loved the following colors: black, white, red and spending time with and supporting her family members especially her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild.

She loved picnics, to go out to lunch after Church, travel, fish, “tato salad”, sugar on rice with gravy and butter, and biscuits and gravy. Lareda loved to tell people what to do and was considered “bossy, but also sensitive.” Once she gave her opinion and whoever she was talking to didn’t agree she was known to say, “I’m through with it.” However, she was also known at a certain point to come right back to that same point she was “through with.”

She was pre-deceased by her parents, Rue Lee and Mae Reda Allen; and brother, Samuel Allen. She is survived by her daughter, Tammy Allen; son, Greg Allen; sisters: Ethel Lockett and Brenda Allen; both of Portland; brother, R.C. Allen of Los Angeles, CA; Elder Twauna E. (Pastor J.W. Matt) Hennessee who was her niece, but also raised by her parents; grandchildren: Chaleigha, Garreton, D’Auvion, Alex and Kariisa; great-grandchild Justyce Farrington; nieces & nephews: Kristian and Kraig Gardner; Tyrone and Rod Allen; Marquita & Michael Lockett; Jalon, Jaiyauna, and Kali Yoakum, and a host of other relatives and friends.

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