Bishop Frank Allen “Shine” was born to Nathaniel Allen Sr. “Big Daddy” and Nancy Allen “Big Mama” on Sept. 17, 1924, in Morgan City, Miss. He was the third of eight siblings.

He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944, where he served in World War II.  After serving his country, he moved to Vicksburg as a skilled carpenter to help rebuild the city after the 1953 tornado.  He met and married overseer Mattie P. Allen and together they founded Wayside Apostolic Church of Deliverance, Vicksburg, and Wayside International Ministries, Jamaica, West Indies, where they began pastoring and sowing seeds in missionary work and providing financial support.

During that time bishop and overseer Allen and other missionaries built pews for churches, witnessed, won souls to Christ and sponsored several Jamaicans. He served as pastor of Wayside for over 40 years. In 2008 he received his doctorate of divinity degree from Wayside Bible College, Clinton. 

Bishop Allen was a skilled carpenter; one of the best in Vicksburg. His interests included singing and playing his lead guitar, reading and studying the word of God, teaching, cooking and spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mattie P. Allen; a daughter, Doris Lynette Funches; one sister, Luberta Green; and three brothers, A.J., John “Hoppy” and Preston.

He is survived by three children, Frank Jr. (Eloise), Carol Junita (Elwood Flowers) and Deborah Anita; one brother, Nathaniel Allen Jr.; two sisters, Naomi Pruitt and Denise LaSalle; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a host of brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins, other relatives and friends.

Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, April 6, 2017, at Vicksburg Auditorium with Bishop James Laird officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery under the direction of Lakeview Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be at Lakeview Memorial Funeral Home Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m.