Beulah J. Allen

Beulah J. Allen, affectionately known as Jan by family and friends, returned home to glory on October 26, 2020, just one day shy of her 87th birthday. Jan was born on October 27, 1933, in Greenville, Alabama to parents Aytchwood and Lillie Bell Waller. She was the youngest of the 12 Waller children. While in Greenville, she attended and graduated from Lomax-Hannon High School.

At a young age, Jan moved North with family. Making stops in Michigan and Illinois. Ultimately, she set her roots in Chicago, Illinois. She raised up her two boys, Thomas Lucas, and Lawrence Morris, there too. She was a devoted mother who instilled the importance of education, a strong sense of well-being, and respect for themselves as well as their community. She loved them dearly.

Jan had the ambition to study nursing and receive her degree. She did just that! She had a career, for many years, as a Respiratory Therapist at Roosevelt Hospital, in Chicago, IL. Jan was later promoted to supervisor of the Respiratory Therapy Department. She also worked for several years as the primary care nurse at Cabrini Green Medical Center. As a self-made entrepreneur, Jan owned and operated a private home healthcare service. She was able to not only employ several women of color but to mentor them to grow budding careers in the medical field as well. One accomplishment she was particularly proud of included being the Director of Household Staff for Ms. Oprah Winfrey. She was an ambitious woman of many skill sets.

In her spare time, Jan enjoyed sewing. She made her own clothes and reupholstered furniture. She loved to paint and rehab old buildings. One of her favorite past-times was finding unique treasures at her favorite resale stores and giving her finds the "Janet-flare!" Jan was an adventurer and enjoyed life. She had many friends with all kinds of backgrounds... It is often said, "she never met a stranger." She always saw the good in people. Sometimes, that's all she would see, even if no one else could. Jan was always there for family and friends. Loyal by default. It was the backbone of her character.

Some of Jan's other accomplishments include her passion for volunteering within her beloved Near North Chicago neighborhood. She created and organized a talent show for young ladies, at the Cabrini Green Housing Projects. She also created her own makeup line dubbed, "Jan's Look". She inspired and created her own charmed & poised school for inner-city young ladies, where they were able to model, gain self-esteem, and learn how to be a lady. She cared deeply for her community and encouraged all to strive for greatness. She was a trailblazer by every sense of the word.

Jan is proceeded in death by her husband, Paul Emrick, and son, Lawrence (Larry) Morris. As the remaining matriarch, of the original twelve Waller siblings, she will be greeted in heaven by Margie McCoy, Robert Waller Sr., Mary Williams, Amanda Davis, Willie Nell Goldsmith, Eunice Marlow, Opal Earlean Crittenden, Lillie Harris, Aytchwood Waller Jr., Mrytle Green, George Waller, and parents Aytchwood Sr. and Lille Bell Waller.

Jan leaves to cherish her beloved memory her son, Thomas (Tommy) Lucas, daughter-in-love, Zola Lucas, niece, Betty Dennis, grandchildren, Edwin Morris, Perrell (Amanda) Lucas, Samiaiyah (Mthulisi) Ncube, Iesha Morris, and Lawrence Morris Jr. Also included is a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, great-grandchildren, and friends. She was loved by many. The family would like to extend a special token of gratitude to the volunteers and staff at Brownsburg Meadows Healthcare, for taking such good care of our Beloved Beulah.

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." --Revelations 21:4

The family, of Beulah Jan Allen, would like to thank you for the kind expressions of sympathy following her transition. Your support during this difficult time is much appreciated and has been a great comfort to our family. - Thomas Lucas & Family

Alzheimer's disease (AD), is one of the leading causes of death among the African-American community. Jan, as well as other members of our family, has succumbed to AD in some way. In lieu of flowers, we would like to suggest a donation, In memory of Beulah Jan Waller, to the African American Alzheimer’s and Wellness Association.

Please donate at www.africanamericanalz.org