Allien Mace Brooks
(1927-2017)
Allien Mace Brooks
Source: Shiela Cohen and Clarice Bridges
On June 13, 1927, in the city of Learned, Mississippi located in Hinds County, George and Esther Mace welcomed Allien, the 4th youngest of their 13 children. At a young age, Allien was baptized and became a member of the new Oakridge MBC. Allien was educated in the Hinds County Public Schools system and graduated from Southern Christian Institute (Edwards Mississippi). While attending Jarvis Christian College (Hawkins, Texas), Allien pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Allien united in Holy Matrimony to her first husband, Rev. Samuel Alfred Brooks. After he had received his orders from the U.S. Army, they relocated to the state of California. To this union, two children were born. Clarice Brooks-Bridges and Sheila Brooks-Cohen. After settling in California, Allien joined Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, where she was graciously adopted into the McIntosh-Owens family. Some years later, Allien and Samuel divorced, and Allien married her second husband Otis Moore, wo preceded her in death (September 1, 1979).
Allien continued to serve wholeheartedly, at Mt. Carmel MBC until her health no longer allowed. Allien received her certification from the Cleaning and Dye Union and remained gainfully employed in many dry cleaners until her retirement at the age of 75. During her retirement years, Allien continued her training at Laney and gained certification in upholstery and video photography. To keep herself busy, Allien would rebuild and turn unusable furniture into an upholstered piece fit for any décor. She would also film church services and community events.
Allien had a passion for cooking and established “Granny’s Kitchen.” She made and sold desserts, jellies and any dish that were requested. She enjoyed making fruit jellies, but she had a special fondness for making “Pepper Jelly” because of its uniqueness. She became notorious for her “Sweet Potato Pies and Coconut Cake. Alien was a member of the Marie Chapter No. 42 of the Order of Eastern Star under a Chapter from the Queen Adah Royal Grand Chapter – California Jurisdiction. Allien served as Superintendent of the Sunday School for over 35 years. Early on in her service, she initiated the Annual Parking Lot Carnival to introduce the church to the children within the community. She served at Mt. Carmel in the Missionary Society, Senior Choir along with various committees and projects. The Owens Specials were established by Allien and Aquilla Robinson in honor of Rev. James Owens. Once a month she coordinated a Sunday night musical with Helen Stephens and the Voices of Christ Choir. Annually Allien attended the State and National Baptist Conventions and the Progressive Baptist Association. She was a keynote speaker through the Bay Area for various churches during their Women’s Day Celebrations, nothing brought Allien more joy than serving God through the different ministries in the church. As her health declined, she continued to wake up asking to go to church, and we would remind her – Mama, today is not Sunday. She started each day at 4:00 am with her devotion and ended each day by bowing on her knees and praying. It is an example and memory that her family will cherish all their lives.
Allien was an avid sports fan, and her favorite teams were the Warriors, 49ers, and the SF Giants. The main activity she richly enjoyed was fishing with her fishing partners. Sitting on the bank or in the boat, it did not matter as long as she was fishing.
Allien was preceded in death by four brothers: Virgil, Stanford, Roscoe, and Robert. Four Sisters: Velma, Luvester, Clara and Queen Esther. Allien leaves to cherish her memory two sisters: Mynetta Mace Smith in Jackson Mississippi and Ethel Mace in Indianapolis, Indiana. One brother: Huey P. Mace in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Two daughters: Clarice Bridges (Gregory) and Sheila Cohen (Pervis), Grandchildren: Tasha L. Luckett, Bysha D. Bridges, Jazzmin M. Cohen, and Jahmar A. Carroll. Great Grandchildren: Bysha Bridges Jr., Julien Bridges, Azure Butler and Jahmaya Carroll. Great, Great Grandchildren: Jayden Bridges and Destiny Bridges. Godson: Orlando Lamont Todd (Yolanda),. Allien left a host of nieces, nephews relatives, close friends, and neighbors and wanted each and everyone to know how she lived her life in a way that conveyed her love and reflected her thought, “when you remember me, please remember I left the light on for you.”