Diane Elaine Allen
A Mother's Life to Remember
March 28, 1965 ~ September 14, 2023


If you're reading, I was blessed to live 21,354 days or 58 years, 5 months, and 17 days. As the songwriter said, "Don't Cry for me, don't shed a tear. I've been set free, no need to fear. God spoke to me. My time has come. He made a way to bring me home. My pain is gone forever don't cry for me".

Welcome to the fabulous life story of Diane Elaine Allen. For the next few moments, I'll share a bit about myself. I am a God-fearing Christian, Woman, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Cousin and Friend. I have been an inspiration to many and many friends have inspired me on this journey.

To be honest, Jesus Christ is my best friend. God has been the architect of my life as he is the creator of all things good. "Happy is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill the promise he made to her" Luke 1:45. I grew up Baptist; recalling my mother playing gospel hymns in the mornings on her hi-fi stereo ~when I woke up this morning I said thank you Lord~ In 2010 I was baptized in Savannah, GA, at Metro Savannah Baptist Church by Pastor Morris Brown, yet my relationship with Jesus Christ goes way back to a born believer.

I was number 8 of ten children born to Cezer and Mary Morris. It was the first day of the week, Sunday, March 28, 1965, in Chicago, IL. My siblings were William Hill Jr., Chester Hill, Sylvia Hill, Allen Hill, Cecilia Hill, Richard Hill, Viola Hill, yours truly, Wanda Morris, and Cezar Morris Jr. Our parents were amazing, endless fishing trips, road trips back and forth from Chicago to Michigan to Mississippi to Chicago again. BBQ's, swims in the lakes, working with momma at the hotel and visits to see relatives was the highlight of every summer. Careers and education opportunities is what drove my family to relocate to Pure Michigan. This is where life began for me.

In the early 70's my education started in Saginaw Michigan at Heaven Rich Elementary, and later on earned letters in track and field and merits in academics from Central Junior High School. Education was critical to our family and, more so, to me. It had become a family tradition and I was no different, so of course I graduated from  The High, that's Saginaw High School Saginaw, Michigan 1982. During high school I was still pretty athletic, I went on to earn more letters for my athleticism and honors brilliance.

Right after high school I fell in love with my high school sweetheart Reginald Williams and we had our daughter Crystal Shawntal. We were young but eventually life taught us both. Later on love came knocking again and of course I let him in, Harry Allen from Grand Rapids. He became my husband and we gave birth to our beautiful baby girl Christine Rayshawn in 1987. By the time the 90's rolled around I'd just about given up on love, except for the unconditional love that I have for my precious girls. In the mid 90's I decided to start a career in nursing. I furthered my education and received a CNA Cert at Ross Medical in Saginaw MI. I worked as a CNA in Saginaw for a while but I soon realized I was getting nowhere fast. My brother that lived in Denver at the time invited me to check out the city, and I only thrived from there.

I made it Denver in 2000, after I was settled the only thing I could do was think about how to make life better for my babies, so I decided to return to the classroom. In 2002 I made an attempt to study business at College America in Denver. It was a nice program I'm just not with technology. After quickly throwing in the business towel I knew that I wanted to stay in the medical field so I studied nursing and surgical procedures at Concorde College and received a Surgical Technician certificate in 2007. Although the opportunity for me to advance in my career path and make lots of money, my heart could never turn away from dear residents. So I worked as a CNA until I was no longer able to work on the floor. After I started to become physically disabled.

In 2016 I was diagnosed with Lupus, it became a realization that I would never be able to do this work again. My career has been important to me for years and suddenly it was taken away. Not only did I suffer through the physical pain I also struggled with being depressed, not being able to do what I loved. My daughters, my grandchildren, friends and family supported me through my struggles, there were great and sad times. Lupus is a hard disease to live with but we fought everyday. It took some time but eventually I snapped out of it. I started studying psychology in 2021 at Community College of Denver. It would be safe to say I was a lifetime student. I did clinicals all over the Front Range as part of my nursing career path.

My most significant legacy of love would be through the family ties of my own offspring. My most cherished accomplishment was being a mother to these two phenomenal queens nonetheless. I supported and cared for my daughters by working at Sable Care Center Franklin Park Nursing Home, Kindred Health Care, and Uptown Nursing Home for 15 years.We lived in Grand Rapids MI, Savannah GA, back to Saginaw MI, and on to Denver CO.

Exercising my mind, soul, and spirit is one of my favorite things. I love to read and learn the Bible; it was my favorite book. I enjoyed life so much, and many things brought me pleasure and few things brought me pain. My favorite colors are Purple represents royalty, nobility, power, creativity, wisdom, dignity, and devotion. Our ancestors and offspring are all people of royalty. This is where we, as BLACK people, derive from. My children, their children, and even their children will always be regal. Gold often denotes generosity and compassion and is synonymous with divinity and power.

My playlist contain Gospel, R&B, Rap and jazz music. I found joy in playing games on my phone liked bingo, solitaire, candy crush and puzzle games. I liked horror movies, weird sci-fi, comedies, and dramas. My favorite actor is Cuba gooding gooding ( Cuba Gooding Jr.) I love a clean house and a clean workspace, cleanliness next to godliness. Oh, I can cook, they rave about my fried chicken, gravy, and my dressing.
Decorating was a passion of mine. My skills were so defined that I could have been an interior decorator.

While Crystal and Christine was growing up, I would make these unique dishes. I never had much but always figured out a way to create something from a little of nothing when God blessed us with rice and vegetables and maybe a little bit of meat, I'd make something special. All in all, I kept a roof over my baby's heads and made sure they were fed (look how big they are). I gave everything inside of me to take care of and protect my precious babies. Crystal got married to (Cornelius Bankston) that girl was so nervous at the wedding she was shaking like a leaf. Her and Corn have 4 kids Cornelius ll(Bubba-golden child ) Cortévya(Té-angle) Cor'Trell(Tank-shorty) Chance(pook-honey bunny). Christine wasn't in a rush to get married but her and (Nathan Blanton) have 2 beautiful children  Christopher(Chris- tiny) Christyana (Skinny-baby girl). I was happy when Christine recently told me she was engaged to RJ, and pregnant. 6 and 3/4 grandchildren! I couldn't be more excited for what I had and what my daughter's have become. Not to mention my grandkids, doing amazing things. Graduating early and buying cars. Playing sports like football, we even played against Snoop Doggs team in California. Basketball games at the Pepsi center, and cheerleading competitions at Disney World. Various certificates and recognitions from their schools and the state. So grateful to have witnessed my legacy evolve before me.

My life partner Franklin Celestine. The summer of 2002 in Aurora CO, that day I never would have thought that he would be in my life for so long! He is truly my rock, my backbone and my best friend. We went through so much together and stayed strong to the end. Watch my babies now Franklin.

I saw this big table spread like Thanksgiving when I crossed that majestic river. Jesus Christ and my parents Cezar Morris Sr. and Mary Morris were there to meet me with my brothers William, Chester, and Richard my sisters Cecilia and Viola and my nephew Mark.

Moreover, I can't help but find consolation in knowing that the evidence of my existence will resonate for all eternity in the lives of those I left behind. My children Crystal and Christine. The 6 and 3/4 Grandchildren, My surviving siblings Sylvia Parham, Wanda Morris, Allen Hill, and Cezar Morris Jr.,  and a host of nephews, nieces, family, and friends.

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the Lord is to be praised. Prv 31:30"