Charles “Alley Cat” Allen
In Memoriam

Charles “Alley Cat” Allen

By Lale U. Brown September 6, 2023 No Comments

Charles “Alley Cat” Allen

May 23, 1956- May 30, 2015

Charles "Alley Cat" Allen

Charles “Alley Cat” Allen

A flood of heartfelt messages from family provide a window into Charles “Alley Cat” Allen’s life. Charles was a beloved family man, known to many as “Alley”. His niece writes, “Uncle Alley R.I.P my heart go out to your wife. We will miss u your grandkids, stepkids, nieces, nephews, sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws sadly missed & loved …” His sister writes, “I love you dearly, but God loved you best. Your siblings will truly miss you. Take your rest.” 

A devastating message from Charles’ daughter on his obituary one month after his death reads, “Daddy I still can’t believe that you’re not here anymore. I Love you from the bottom of my heart and so do your Grandsons. I know it’s been a rough year with your health and now your finally at peace. Your up there with your oldest grandson now and I know until we get there you both will always be watching over me, your grandsons and the rest of our family. I miss our talks for hours on the phone and it just hurts that you are really gone. I Love you Daddy and I’m praying for all of my Sweet Aunts and family that Love you with all our hearts! R.I.P. Daddy.” 

Charles had a large family. He was born on May 23, 1956 and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana in the Treme neighborhood. His mother Lorraine Allen raised him along with his five sisters, Charmaine Allen, Carol Allen, Janice Allen, Hereatha Brazile and Wanda Moseley, and one brother, Michael Allen. In 1998, Charles married Mary Offray Allen. They had one daughter, Keywania Dinet and two grandsons, Justin and Jason. The family evacuated to Dallas, Texas briefly after Hurricane Katrina and returned to New Orleans in 2008.

Tragically, Charles died while in pre-trial detention at the Orleans Parish Prison on May 30, 2015, one week after his 59th birthday. Charles had been brought into the jail on Thursday, May 28. 

Years after Charles’ death, his family continues to celebrate the memory of his life. On May 23, 2017, the anniversary of Charles’ birthday, his family hosted a memorial celebration for him. Posting to Facebook, his sister wrote, “Happy-Happy Birthday to my brother in Heaven. I miss him so-o-o-o-o much, but God had other plans for him. RIP in Heaven until we meet again.”

Memorial celebration with the family and friends of Charles "Alley Cat" Allen.

Memorial celebration with the family and friends of Charles “Alley Cat” Allen.

Author: Suad Abdel Aziz

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