Rita Allen Obituary

ALLEN, Ms. Rita - Age 67, passed away Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at Hurley - Flint. Ms. Allen will lie in state Wednesday, October 28, 2026, in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd. and may be viewed from 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM.

Rita Carol Allen was born on July 27, 1959, in Dumas, Arkansas, the daughter of Oweida Grayson Freeman and Hershel Allen. Her journey carried her through many places, experiences, and chapters of life, but one thing remained constant: the love she had for her family and the people around her. Mom had a joyful spirit and a big heart. She was the kind of person you could sit down with, open up to, and talk to about anything. She had a way of making people feel comfortable. She could turn a conversation with a stranger into a friendship, and she made people feel as though they had known her for years. That was one of her gifts.

Rita connected with people. Mom was also an incredible cook. She knew that food could bring people together, that a meal could become a memory, and that some of life's best conversations happen around a table. Her cooking was one of the ways she showed love. When she prepared something for you, you knew there was a piece of her heart in it. She earned a degree in social work and worked in dental hygiene and restaurant service. Throughout her life, she continued to do what came naturally to her: interact with people, listen, communicate, and build connections. She loved traveling, watching Western movies, playing cards, and gathering around a dominoes game. As a member of the Red Hat Club, she enjoyed fellowship and the friendships that came with it. These were the simple but meaningful things that made her life her own.

Her faith as a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses community was another part of her story. Her spiritual life was woven into the person she was and the values she carried. Mom lived in Michigan for many years, spent time in St. Louis with her son Robin Jr., and eventually returned to Michigan, where she spent her final years close to her daughter Crystal and her grandchildren. But wherever she was, Mom carried something that could not be measured by a city or a home.

Rita carried her ability to bring people together. And that brings me to one of the things she said that I hope we never forget: "We are all we got.". Mom, those words mean more to us now than ever before. They remind us that family is precious. They remind us that life is not guaranteed and that we should not wait until someone is gone to express our love. They remind us to pick up the phone, sit together, forgive one another, share a meal, laugh when we can, and show up for each other when life gets difficult. We may not always agree. We may have our differences. We may go through seasons when life pulls us in different directions. But Mom's words remind us that the bond we share is worth protecting. Today, we grieve because we love her. We feel this emptiness because her presence mattered. We miss her conversations, her cooking, her laughter, her personality, and all the little things that made her our Mom. There is no single speech that can capture an entire life. There are too many memories, too many stories, and too many things that only those who knew her can truly understand. But we can carry her forward. We can honor her by continuing to love one another. We can honor her by opening our homes and hearts to people. We can honor her by sharing food, telling stories, making new memories, and refusing to take our time together for granted. Mom, thank you for being a part of our lives. Thank you for the conversations, the lessons, the laughter, and the love you gave. Although we wish we could have more time, we will cherish the time we had. Your life has left an imprint on us that death cannot erase. Today, we release you from the pain of this world and hold on to the love you gave us. We trust that the memories we carry will continue to comfort us as we learn how to live with your absence. And when we gather as a family, when we share a meal, when we laugh over an old story, when someone starts a card game or a game of dominoes, may we remember you. May we remember the woman who loved people, who enjoyed life, who had a big heart, and who reminded us of something we must never forget. We are all we got. Rest peacefully, Mom. You are loved beyond words, missed more than we can explain, and forever a part of us. Your story lives on through us. We love you, Rita Carol Allen. Forever and always.

Rita Carol Allen leaves to cherish her memory: 2 daughters and 4 sons, Antowine "Bobo", Anthony "Tony", Robin Jr. "June Bug", Crystal "Sissy", Jack Jerome "J.J.", and Ebony "Nene"; 9 grandchildren, Christopher (Crystal) Spencer, Jaylen (Crystal) Gibson, Mackenzie (Crystal) Spencer, Antowine Jr., Alicia, Asia, Elijah, Antowine Sr., Morgan , Xzavier and Anthony; 3 great-grandchildren, Sutton, Mackia and Omekia; 6 sisters, Debra Dean of Arkansas, Patricia Allen Grand, Madelon Allen, Linnette Allen, Bridgette Green and Rosalind Jackson; 2 brothers, Julius Allen and Hershel Allen Jr.; a host of nieces, nephews including special nephews, Marvin Dean and Bay Dean of Dumas, AR; a host of aunts, uncles and cousins including, Larry Griffo; 3 sisters-in-law, Virdie Long, Barbara Jones and Yvette Spencer; 5 brothers-in-law, Edward Spencer, Alperry Spencer, Joe Harris, Gary Spencer and Tony Harrell; a host of other relatives and friends including special friend, Richard Spears.

Rita was preceded in death by her mother, Oweida Freeman; father, Hershel Allen; grandparents, Stella Williams, J.T. Allen and Helen Grayson; and partner, Robin Spencer Sr. The family would like to express special thanks to her sister,, Debbie Dean, Hanna Enterprises, the Spencer and Lambert families.