Michael Allen

Michael Anthony Allen was born on July 8, 1963 to Laura and Junius Allen in Baltimore, Maryland.

Michael and his nine siblings grew up together in Baltimore’s Edmonson Village neighborhood. He attended Edmondson High School, graduating in 1981.

Years later, Michael attended the University of Maryland Baltimore County. He tirelessly worked while attending college and received his bachelor’s degree in information technology in 1992.

For many years, Michael was a committed servant at New Galilee Church of Jesus Christ and became the chairman of the trustee board until 1992. In 1996, Michael married Tammy, whom he met while attending New Galilee. From this union he gained a son, Daryl, whom he raised and loved. Not long after, in 1997, Jessica was born. Then in 1999, his youngest son Justyn, called “Mikey” throughout his childhood, was born.

Michael spent close to 20 years working in information technology at Social Security Administration, Applied Physics Laboratory, and Verizon Business.

Later, in 2011, he moved with his family to the area of Charlotte, North Carolina to assist in operating the family’s home health care company. During this time, he faced two battles with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, originally diagnosed as stage 4. He quietly went through several bouts of chemotherapy before he overcame the disease and was declared to be in remission.

He spent his later years working for Amazon in the Charlotte area, eventually buying a house and establishing himself in Richburg, South Carolina.

In his spare time, Michael loved to roller skate. Nothing could deter him from it, not even two separate falls that caused him to chip his tooth and break his arm. He treasured family photos. Often, he chronicled the lives of his family through his camera. He liked to sing, make silly jokes, ride his bike, and was fascinated by the latest tech. Some of his favorite corny sayings included, “you’re a gentleman and a scholar” and “cool beans,” which he abbreviated to “CB” in texts.

Michael passed away on Sunday, May 10, 2026 at his home. He loved God and his family.

Michael was preceded in death by his mom, Laura Allen, and his dad, Junius Allen. He is survived by his children Daryl Smith, Jessica Ruderman, and Justyn Allen; daughter-in-law Ariel Smith, son-in-law Bryan Ruderman, and grandchildren Lon’dyn and Genesis Smith. He leaves behind all nine brothers and sisters and their families: Mervin Allen, Kelvin “Joe” Allen, Denard Allen, Debra Brown, Jacqueline Denise “Niecy” Purnell, Karen Butler, Bernadette Morris, Rodney Allen and Laureen “Reenie” McFadden.