Miriam Deloris Bogan Allen

MIRIAM DELORIS BOGAN ALLEN departed this Life on Sunday, April 14, 2013 after an extended illness. Miriam was born on August 30, 1944 in Columbia, South Carolina. She was the first born of the late Rev. Dr. Miles D. Bogan, and the late Louise (Dolly) Blackwell Bogan. Miriam gave her life to the Lord at an early age. She was baptized at Trinity Baptist Church where her father pastored. She would go on to work tirelessly in the church, working on various committees, singing in the choir, working with youth groups, and teaching Bible School. She joined Zion Baptist Church upon returning to Columbia, and later joined First Nazareth Baptist Church. Her early educational experiences were through the Richland County School District One school system. She was a 1962 graduate of C. A. Johnson High School. Upon graduating from high school, she enrolled in Bennett College, graduating in 1966 with a degree in Psychology. After graduation, she returned to Columbia and obtained a teaching position at her high school alma mater. Wanting to be close to her sister, Pat, she taught for a year in Washington, DC and then moved to Baltimore, Maryland. While pursuing a master’s degree in Special Education from Coppin State College, she worked in the Baltimore City Public Schools as a Special Education teacher. She also taught in the Anne Arundel County school system in Maryland. While helping to decorate a float for Morgan State College Homecoming, she met a young man with whom she would fall in love and marry, Fred J. Allen, Jr. They married in September, 1969. To this union a daughter was born, Lesleye Danyelle Allen. Lesleye became the love of her life. She loved her daughter with everything she had within her and provided the best opportunities any parent could provide. She was truly a very devoted mother. Miriam returned to Columbia, SC after both parents had slipped into failing health. She was truly dedicated to taking care of them as well as her paternal aunt (Mazzie) who was also in failing health. While in Columbia, Miriam began working for Lexington County School District Two schools and later Richland County School District One schools, first as a classroom teacher, and finally as a Special Education Consultant. She was devoted to her students as though they were her own. Availing herself to them day or night to help with whatever concern they had. She was also an active member of American Business Women’s Association (ABWA), and Gamma Nu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In 1989, Miriam was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a disease that would eventually complicate her life. She faced many struggles on a daily basis from slurred speech to losing her ability to stand and walk, but she gave a valiant fight. Miriam was born in the Year of the Monkey (on the Chinese calendar) and displayed many of the characteristics described there in. She was intelligent, creative, curious, and playful. She was happy, sweet, kind, and caring. She would often break into a song at the drop of a hat if she heard a word that would trigger a song that she knew. Miriam loved life, her family and her classmates from CAJ ’62. She kept in touch with many of them throughout the years. She knew where each person was, how they were doing, and how to get in touch with them. She was the catalyst that kept the ties strong for that class. She will be missed in so many ways and on so many levels. She leaves to mourn her passing, her beloved daughter, Lesleye, the center of her existence; a loving son-in-law, Rivera; two beautiful grandchildren, Nadia and Donovan; a devoted sister, Pat; a supportive nephew, Mark, and his wife Talia; two surrogate grandchildren, Miles and Tristen; a beloved niece, Brooke; a dear friend, Charles Brooks; and a host of other family members and friends. Services will be held 11:00 am Thursday, April 25, 2013 at First Nazareth Baptist Church, with interment to follow in the Palmetto Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6-8 pm Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at Palmer Memorial Chapel - Columbia.

Miriam Deloris Bogan Allen

August 30, 1944 - April 14, 2013