Hazel White Allen (Age 84) of Fort Washington, Maryland.

Hazel White Allen was born to Laureen and Carrie White on May 3, 1931 in Wyandotte County, Kansas. She was named for her Aunt Hazel a woman of strength, dignity and drive. She inherited a rich legacy of faith, family, character and leadership. As an only child she surrendered her life to Christ at a very early age at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Kansas City. She was active in Sunday school other church activities during her youth.

She attended elementary school in Kansas City, Kansas and moved to New York city where she graduated from Wadleigh High School. She knew she wanted a big family and desired a career that would support the family so she chose the nursing profession. She attended Harlem Hospital School of Nursing where she graduated in June of 1954 as a Registered Nurse. She returned to Kansas and in 1959 married Curtis Gray and they had 3 children, Alma, Curtis and Carrie. The marriage terminated in 1969. She later married John W. Allen and to this union was born Portia and Laureen.

When she relocated to the Maryland area in the 70's she joined First Baptist Church of Highland Park and remained an active member until her health failed. She and her husband, Deacon John W. Allen were a dynamic duo in serving God. She was a committed member of the Nurses Ministry (now called the Wellness ministry) and was president for many years. She became a Deaconess, a designation which she took very seriously. She loved her church and loved to serve.

During her nursing career she was director of nurses at Douglass Hospital in Kansas, which was the oldest black hospital west of the Mississippi. She was employed at Children's Center in Laurel, MD and National Children's Center in Washington DC. She spent the greater phase of her nursing career as a psychiatric nurse at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington, DC and retired after many years of service.

On Friday, December 18, 2015 at Medstar Southern Maryland Hospital in Clinton, Maryland, Hazel White Allen transitioned to eternal life.

She leaves to mourn her children, Alma Britt (Carlton), Curtis Gray (Adrienne), Portia Allen, Laureen Allen; grandchildren, Aliya, Safwan, Anthony, James, Justin, Jillian, Trinity, Mercia, Marie, and Paul; great grandchildren, Lauren, Timothy and Darrin; cousins, Portia and Edward King, and a host of friends.

Viewing, 10a.m. until time of Service, 11a.m. at First Baptist Church of Highland Park, 6801 Sheriff Road, Landover, Maryland 20785. Interment, National Harmony Memorial Park, Landover, Maryland.