Millard Dowdell Allen

He was born on July 31, 1954 in Harlem, New York and was the only child born to the late Millard Allen Sr. and Kathryn Dowdell Allen.

He was educated in the New York City public schools, graduating from Andrew Jackson High School. After high school, he attended Wilberforce College in Ohio.

Allen was married to his lovely wife Venessa Newell Allen for 18 years and helped raise her daughter Velyncia Davis. He has one daughter Alicia Taylor (Marquis) and two grandchildren, Latrell Best and Laila Best.

For over 25 years, he worked with disabled youth at SCO family services in Long Island, NY before retiring in 2022. He moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 2022 after retirement.

Allen loved sports and he enjoyed watching his favorite football team, the Giants, his favorite basketball team, the Knick and his favorite baseball team the New York Yankees. He also loved cars and all genres of music. He was a stylish dresser, wearing the most fashionable clothes, hats and sneakers.

He enjoyed the company of family and friends, especially family barbecues in New York and summers on Martha’s Vineyard. He loved to make others laugh and share words of wisdom.

Allen journeyed through life with unwavering determination, an entertaining sense of humor, and a spirit of kindness. He was a loving spouse, devoted parent, and proud grandparent and his legacy is one of dedication to friends, family and community.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Venessa Allen, one daughter Alicia Taylor (Marquis) of New Haven, CT; bonus daughter Velyncia Davis; two grandchildren Latrell Best and Laila Best and a host of cousins, extended family and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents Millard Allen Sr. and Kathryn Dowdell Allen and aunts Ruth Scarville Bonaparte, Mildred Dowdell Henderson Vera Allen and uncles Frank Allen, Lawn Allen and Ernest Allen.

A celebration of life for Millard will be held Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at 3:00 PM at Haisten Funerals & Cremations, 1745 Zack Hinton Parkway, McDonough, GA 30253.