Juanita Joyce Gordon Allen

Juanita Joyce “Henny” Gordon-Allen of Kingman, Arizona was born on July 16th, 1937, in Los Angeles, Calif. She was the second to the youngest of five children born to Inez and John Harper. Her three sisters were Inez “Corky”, Ann “Peachy”, Susan “Stinky” and a brother, John “Bub”. Inez was well-known for giving many children in the family a nickname that stuck with them their entire life – i.e., her dear cousin Victoria “Sally” Olsen. Henny moved in with her daughter, Rachel and son-in-law Mark in May of 2023 while they were living in Crestline, Calif. The family relocated to Kingman in March of 2024.

Henny went home to heaven, September 5th, 2025, after a decade long battle with Alzheimer's and dementia. She had attended Paramount High in Paramount, Calif. prior to marrying the love of her life, Alfred Franklin Gordon Jr., on November 19th, 1953. They had three children Debra, Rachel and Alfred. Sadly, Al passed unexpectedly in 1974, and Henny eventually remarried James “Jim Bob” Allen in 1980. They settled in Chino, Calif. where they lived until 2022. Jim preceded Henny in death in 1995.

She is known best for her fervent love for the Lord and her family. She was known as Mama or grandma to all who knew her. She was always ready to help anyone by opening her home, generously giving to those in need, and praying for anyone who hurt or was struggling. Gardening and gospel singing were her favorite pastimes, and she excelled at both. She could often be heard singing sweetly as she gardened in the southern Calif. sunshine. If she wasn’t singing, she was famous for her melodious whistling or her “gets my kids” attention whistle. While living in Southern California she served at Pedley Community church where she was the worship leader and Sunday school teacher. She moved to Central Christian Church and always found a ministry to join in service to the Lord. From there she attended 1st Baptist Church of San Antonio Heights and then Henny moved to Pomona 1st Baptist and eventually she attended Church of the Nazarene in Chino, Calif. After relocating to Kingman, Henny was able to attend Journey Church until she was precluded by her illness. Part of Henny’s daily routine included, prayer, Bible study and she faithfully “rode the Bible bus” with J. Vernon McGee. Every five years Henny would follow his teaching as he “rode” through the entire Word of God. She did this for many, many years. She eventually met Dr. McGee as she served at one of his conferences, where enough volunteers hadn’t shown up as expected. Henny jumped in immediately to serve and subsequently met Dr. McGee and his wife Ruth, which thrilled her heart.

Henny is survived by her three children: Debra “Debbie” Pasco of Highland, Calif., Rachel Stack of Kingman, Arizona and Alfred Gordon III, of Mesa, Arizona. She also dearly loved her seven grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. In 2016 her number of grandchildren and great grew exponentially when Rachel married her husband Mark Stack. Four more grandchildren were added, totaling 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, bringing that total to 24! Henny so loved her grandbabies and sang many nonsensical songs to them while cuddling them on her lap.

Henny was a beloved Matriarch for her entire family and a continual source of spiritual encouragement, counsel and godly wisdom. As well, she daily dispensed home remedies for everyone’s physical ailments!