Happy Milestone Anniversary!
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Allen graduated valedictorian of his class and Lillian graduated with honors. He attended Bishop College in Marshall, Texas, where he studied business administration and later at the University of Maryland University College, Adelphi, Maryland.
In California, their young family soon grew to four children. Raising a young family presented tremendous demands and challenges, but they continued to pursue educational opportunities and explore career directions.
Lillian enrolled in Los Angeles City College, where she earned an Associate of Arts degree. She matriculated to Cal State Dominguez Hills, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. She continued to do extensive course study at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Lillian and Allen became members of the Lutheran denomination under the leadership of Pastor Lee Wesley of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Los Angeles, CA. Ironically, they met him at a school PTA meeting where Lillian was president.
They later transferred their membership to Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Inglewood, California under pastor Ronald Zoesch. There, Lillian became the first director of Holy Trinity Childcare Center.
After more than 40 years in the field of education, 28 of which were spent as director of early childhood education at Holy Trinity Childcare Center, Lillian retired and the title of Director Emeritus was bestowed upon her.
She established a scholarship fund in the name of her late brother Beauford Anderson, an engineer for the city of Austin, Texas.
The scholarship provides financial support to high school graduates at Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church who are planning to enroll in college.
Allen served Holy Trinity faithfully in numerous capacities under two pastors for more than 35 years.
In 2006, he transferred his membership to Westchester Lutheran Church (WLC) in Los Angeles, where Frederick Masted was the senior pastor.
At the request of Pastor Masted, Allen, along with another new member, Tim Gilroy, started a weekly Bible study class which Allen led for the five years that he served there.
Allen served for four years as Commissioner on the Board of Construction and Appeals in the city of Inglewood, California. Allen was employed in civil service both for the county of Los Angeles and the federal government before he began a career in the insurance industry.
Sixteen years later, he founded his own award-winning agency; ACIA & Associates. He spent more than 40 years of dedicated service in the profession before retiring in 2010.
Today, Allen devotes much of his time to his favorite avocation: writing.
He published his first book, A Layman’s Search for Salvation; My Journey, in 2015. He has written numerous poems, letters and other unpublished works.
His new book, entitled Weeds in the Garden of the Soul, is scheduled for release in 2024.
Lillian and Allen enjoy travel and have visited many of the fifty states. They have traveled extensively throughout North America, Europe and Australia.
They are the proud parents of four children, ten grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Lillian and Allen reside in Newbury Park, California, where Lillian spends time with her family, friends and more importantly, her grandchildren. She enjoys movies, theatre and travel.
In addition to writing, Allen devotes time to assisting senior pastor Tim Delkeskamp of Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, California conduct weekly Bible study sessions.
After 70 years of marriage, Lillian and Allen are the quintessential couple who reflect the love of God and endeavors to bring light into the lives of others. Their lives are a testimony to how God can use whomever he chooses to advance his kingdom, even the least of these.