Obituary for Dr.Charles Allen Sr.
Live stream can be found at this link https://www.facebook.com/costonfuneralhomes
The live stream will not start until we begin recording. We will start the live stream as soon as the service starts around 12:00 Pm. If you don't see the live stream around 12:05 pm you may have to refresh your page until we start recording.
Instead of flowers we are asking that donations be made to the Omega Psi Phi at iotaphifoundation.org
Dr Charles Allen, son of the late Willie and Anna (Thomas) Allen, was born September 3, 1934
in Southern Pines, NC. He departed this life Thursday August 19th, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA.
He graduated from E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville NC in 1952, Fayetteville State
University in 1956, While at Fayetteville State he was on the Dean’s list every year. He joined
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in 1953. He became the Basileus for Omega Psi Phi in his senior
year and was a proud lifelong member. While at Fayetteville State he also met the love of his
life Lelia (Thompson) Allen whom he was married to for 62 years. After graduation he began
teaching in Fayetteville. While teaching he earned his Masters Degree in Education from the
University of NC at Chapel Hill in 1965. He was recognized as one of the first African
Americans to graduate with a Master’s Degree.
In 1966 Charles and Lelia moved their family to Pittsburgh PA to begin a new chapter in
their lives. He worked for the Pittsburgh Teacher’s Corp where he trained teachers for the
University of Pittsburgh, Westinghouse Learning Corporation where he held the position of
Director of Education for the Pittsburgh Occupational Training Center and as the Director of the
Manchester Street Academy with the Urban League of Pittsburgh. In 1970, he earned his
Doctorate(EDD) from the University of Pittsburgh. Shortly after he was hired by the University of
Pittsburgh as an Associate Professor of Elementary Education. He continued his career at Pitt
for 28 years becoming a full professor of instruction and Learning as well as many other
administrative positions in the School of Education.
In 1998 he retired to spend more time with his family and enjoy his many hobbies which
included fishing, gardening and attending Pitt football games.
He is survived by Dr Lelia Allen, two siblings Levern Allen and Dorothy LeGrand. Five
children Charles E. Allen(Liz), Rodney C. Allen, Cherrita Allen, William C. Allen(Dorreen), all of
Pittsburgh, PA and Dr. Charlene Allen of Bethesda, MD, 12 grandchildren, 4
great-Grandchildren and a host of family and friends who will truly miss him.
The live stream will not start until we begin recording. We will start the live stream as soon as the service starts around 12:00 Pm. If you don't see the live stream around 12:05 pm you may have to refresh your page until we start recording.
Instead of flowers we are asking that donations be made to the Omega Psi Phi at iotaphifoundation.org
Dr Charles Allen, son of the late Willie and Anna (Thomas) Allen, was born September 3, 1934
in Southern Pines, NC. He departed this life Thursday August 19th, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA.
He graduated from E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville NC in 1952, Fayetteville State
University in 1956, While at Fayetteville State he was on the Dean’s list every year. He joined
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in 1953. He became the Basileus for Omega Psi Phi in his senior
year and was a proud lifelong member. While at Fayetteville State he also met the love of his
life Lelia (Thompson) Allen whom he was married to for 62 years. After graduation he began
teaching in Fayetteville. While teaching he earned his Masters Degree in Education from the
University of NC at Chapel Hill in 1965. He was recognized as one of the first African
Americans to graduate with a Master’s Degree.
In 1966 Charles and Lelia moved their family to Pittsburgh PA to begin a new chapter in
their lives. He worked for the Pittsburgh Teacher’s Corp where he trained teachers for the
University of Pittsburgh, Westinghouse Learning Corporation where he held the position of
Director of Education for the Pittsburgh Occupational Training Center and as the Director of the
Manchester Street Academy with the Urban League of Pittsburgh. In 1970, he earned his
Doctorate(EDD) from the University of Pittsburgh. Shortly after he was hired by the University of
Pittsburgh as an Associate Professor of Elementary Education. He continued his career at Pitt
for 28 years becoming a full professor of instruction and Learning as well as many other
administrative positions in the School of Education.
In 1998 he retired to spend more time with his family and enjoy his many hobbies which
included fishing, gardening and attending Pitt football games.
He is survived by Dr Lelia Allen, two siblings Levern Allen and Dorothy LeGrand. Five
children Charles E. Allen(Liz), Rodney C. Allen, Cherrita Allen, William C. Allen(Dorreen), all of
Pittsburgh, PA and Dr. Charlene Allen of Bethesda, MD, 12 grandchildren, 4
great-Grandchildren and a host of family and friends who will truly miss him.