Essie B. Allen, 70

SEAFORD - Essie B. Allen of Seaford went home to be with her Father God on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007, - the birthday of her favorite aunt and namesake, the late Essie B. Wynder - in Life Care at Lofland Park, Seaford. She was 70.

Born Essie B. Copes on Jan. 1, 1937, in Northampton County, Va., she was the only daughter of Garrison and Minnie Copes. Essie's mother passed away when she was 8 years old and she was cared for by her aunts and her grandmother until she married.

She attended school in Capeville, Va., and moved to Delaware in 1957.

Affectionately called "Mother Allen" by those in her church family at the United Deliverance Bible Center in Laurel, Sister Essie was a strong woman of faith who took great delight in praising the God of her salvation.

As a young woman, she made her living by picking crops in the fields of her hometown in Virginia. After moving to Delaware, she worked at Allen Kirikpatrick's Oyster Factory in Rehoboth Beach for many years until she was hired at the Doxsee Clam Factory in Lewes. But the job that she loved most was at the Bible Center Christian Academy, where she prepared and served meals to the students. Sister Essie had found the perfect way to use her skills to help others. She loved people and was very protective of her family.

Sister Essie's favorite hobbies included traveling, shopping, decorating, cooking, photography, gardening and yard sales. She looked forward to taking bible classes taught by her beloved pastor, Bishop Catherine Camper, and she completed her assignments diligently. Sister Essie was also a faithful member of the gospel choir at UDBC. Although she did not drive, she seldom missed a practice. She took all of her responsibilities seriously and made herself available for God's service until the end.

One of her doctors shared with her son, Alvin, how she would talk about God to him during her appointments. He stated that "Essie is a great woman of faith. I am not a Christian myself, but I can tell you that it is her faith in God that is keeping her here." Regardless of what the doctors' prognosis may have been, Mother Allen would let you know without fail, "I'm not going anywhere until God says so!"

Although Sister Essie had a hard life and was often misunderstood, those who got to know her quickly realized what an honest, up-front person she was that you could depend on to tell you the truth with love.

Mother Allen was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth H. Allen; her youngest son, Kenneth Harold Bracey; and her only brother, Garrison Copes.

She leaves to mourn her memory her children, Joyce Sessoms and her husband Furman of Laurel, Larry Copes and his wife Alice of Bronx, N.Y., and Alvin Bracey and his wife Teresa of Seaford; seven grandchildren, Gary Flowers and his wife Karen of Georgetown, Cheryl Flowers, Justin Morris, Nakhia Alexander and her husband Andre, Keneesha Simpson, Gabrielle Oliver and Louella Sample; 11 great-grandchildren, Tekeyia Benson, Deandre Dickerson, Bethany Flowers, Kanen Horton, Gerri Flowers, Nyjae Sample, Isaiah Kilgo, Nakayla Kilgo, Kiara Kilgo, Katlin Alexander and Kyhandra Alexander; and two sisters-in-law, Betty Copes of Pocomoke, Md., and Meredith Brown of Georgetown; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Mother Allen always reserved a special place in her heart for her nieces, Jacqueline Weathersby, Brenda Ayers, Annette Wynder, Sherema Copes, Charity Heinz, Terelle Copes and Karen Copes; her cousin and confidante, Mary Ann Brittingham; her spiritual godson, Spencer Brittingham; her spiritual daughters, Evelyn Stanley and Gloria Phillips; and her girlfriends, Ada Burton, Betty Snead and Edith Hood.

Essie will be greatly missed.

The family expresses sincere gratitude to the staff of Seaford Center and Life Care at Lofland Park for their care and concern for their loved one.

Services will be noon Wednesday in United Deliverance Bible Center, 532 W. Seventh St., Laurel, where friends may call one hour prior to the service.

Interment will be in Peoples Memorial Park, Lewes.

Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Seaford.