Ms. Sharon L. Shackelford-Allen

Sharon Lee Shackelford Allen was born October 25, 1944, in Kansas City, MO on the city’s Westside to Berzelious and Madaline Shackelford.

Sharon was educated in the Kansas City Missouri Public School System and graduated from Central High School in 1963. After graduating, Sharon began to do many things in her life. During this time, she met Alfred Allen at a house party at her sister Gertrude’s house in 1971. They went on to marry in 1983.

Sharon had been working at St. Luke’s Hospital then later, she followed her love of caring for newborn children in the Neonatal Care Unit at University Hospital in Kansas City, MO. She later became the head nurse of the unit. While working at University Hospital, Sharon furthered her education in the health field by obtaining her Registered Nursing Certificate in the mid 1980’s. After surviving a battle with cancer in the late 1980’s, Sharon retired from nursing and then decided to become a homemaker. From there, Sharon took up crocheting and made many blankets for friends and family, lounge footies, and the infamous “holder” that were passed out to the men of the family as gag gifts, for anyone who asked or loved her work. Her nurturing ways were always to the front, and she began babysitting to help family and friends but most of all…it was her baking skills that she will forever be known for which produced those delicious 7-Up, Harvey Wallbanger and Pistachio Cakes. To know Sharon, was to love Sharon! She was the person you wanted to sit next to at any and every function because you were guaranteed to get it raw, uncut with some interesting curse words in the most hilarious way. If you were close enough to get a chance to really experience her personality and loving ways, then you know the honor that came with that.

Sharon departed her phenomenal life at home on August 11, 2023, in Kansas City, MO.

Sharon was preceded in death by both her parents, 4 siblings; Donald Shackelford, Mary Ann Simmons, Gertrude Dameron and Deborah Shackelford and 3 children; Cassandra Joy, Barry Glenn and Kimberly Marie. She leaves to cherish her beautiful and phenomenal memory a Devoted Husband and partner of 50 years, Alfred Allen of the home; 2 sons, Robert (Deleece) E. Shackelford of Phoenix, AZ; Keith E. Allen of Kansas City, MO; daughter-in-law Penny Williams; 5 granddaughters Shameka (Stephon) Williams, Delisha Williams, Shanell Shackelford, Lyric Grandison and Lauren Grandison, 3 grandsons Robert E. Williams, Langston Grandison and Landen Grandison all of Kansas City, MO; 17 great grandchildren; 3 siblings Madalyne Shackelford; Marvin (Carolyn) Shackelford and Vickie Shackelford all of Kansas City, MO and in-laws Thomas Jenkins Sr. of Kansas City, MO; Lois Richardson; Linda (Herbert) Francios, Evonne Allen and William Clay all of Ypsilanti, MI. Also, her special niece/daughters Elizabeth (Dannie) Hudson, Adriane (Chris) Hamilton and Phillis (Kelvin) Hampton; special great nephews/grandsons Isaac Freeman, Rolondo Pitts Jr, Bobby Bradley Jr, Laurence Hudson and a special great niece/granddaughter Angel Hudson, along with a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

   Funeral Services will be held Friday, August 25, 2023, 12 noon at Watkins Heritage Chape, visitation 11 am. Interment XII Gates Memorial Gardens.  Service conducted by Watkins Heritage Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website.

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