Marcia L. Allen

Marcia L. Allen, the daughter of Sherman Allen Sr. and Harriet E. (Heaston) Allen was born May 2, 1949 in Normal, Illinois and was raised in Bloomington, Illinois. She was married to Wydell Brownlow (1979), who preceded her in death. She met her longtime friend, Dennis Vardiman, who also preceded her in death. 

In 1958 Marcia joined Union Missionary Baptist Church in Bloomington, IL where she served in the Children's Choir, Junior Choir and Junior Usher Board. She was baptized at the age of 9 years old. She later Joined First Baptist Church, North Indianapolis, in 1998. Marcia loved her church family and she loved serving in the house of the Lord as an Usher, Active Senior Usher Board, Bulletin Board, Prison Ministry, Pastor’s Snacks Thursday, feeding Program and Repast committee.

Marcia received her education at Irving Elementary School, Bloomington Junior High School and graduated from Bloomington High School in 1967. She furthered her education and graduated to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in 1968.

Marcia had special training in nursing working with mothers and babies as well as specialized areas of Labor and Delivery, Surgery and Pediatrics. She completed the training in August of 1970 at St. Joseph Hospital. 

She worked at St. Joseph Hospital in Bloomington from 1968-1971. She moved to Indianapolis, Indiana in June 1971 and started her 42-year career at Wishard Hospital in August 1971 in the Recovery Room. Marcia moved to Surgery (Plastic/Burn/Oral Surgery) in 1981. She retired from Wishard Hospital on December 30, 2008; later returning to work and retired again in 2014.

Marcia L. Allen departed this life on Saturday, August 3, 2024. Her father, Sherman Allen Sr.; mother, Harriet E. (Heaston) Allen; Godparents, Henry and Gertrude Brown; brother, Sherman Allen Jr.; niece, Renee Allen Cooper, all preceded her in death.

Marcia is survived by nieces: Tashonna Allen, Jilleasha Allen, Kamariah Torain and Desiree Davis; nephews, Shawn Allen, Demaryius Dorsett and Deizon Davis; stepdaughter, Cheryl Vardiman-Currie; stepson, Derrick Brownlow; foster brothers and sister: Steven Caldwell, Leroy Caldwell and Penny Pate; Goddaughters: Lonnetta Renee Doss, Cortni Davis-Jackson, Tiffany Davis, Maria Barnes, Rasheida Sloan and Ebony Oliver; Godsons: Lonnie Jr., Marcus Doss and Martell Sloan; grandchildren: Vardiman, Brownlow, Sander and Barnes; God sister, Vickie Wheel Miller; God brothers, Rev. John Brown and Michael Jones; cousins: Kirksey, Becton, Thornton, Cook; special friends: Kathy Davis, Casey Dartis, Beverly Lewis, Marion Oliver, Patricia Bates, Marlene Adams, Terry Williams, Murlene Cooper and Terry Anderson Jones; special family: Davis, Surrett, Brownlow, Olive and Bates; and a host of many loved ones who will miss Marcia dearly.