Government » Enid Walk of Fame » 2001-2010
Dorice Allen lived her life helping and serving others. She enjoyed working with young people. She also worked and served untiringly in her church, school and community. She was born November 19, 1930 in Longview, Texas. At a young age, she moved to Enid, Oklahoma. She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. Her undergraduate studies were conducted at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama, 1951 and Langston University from which she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education in 1955. She earned a Masters Degree in Education from Phillips University, Enid, Oklahoma, 1969 and obtained her Library Science certification from Oklahoma State University. At an early age, Dorice made her decision to follow Christ and was a charter member of the Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist Church where she faithfully served as treasurer, musician and Sabbath School superintendent. She served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Oklahoma Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and served as education consultant to the Southwest Region Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. She was happily married to Willie F. Allen for 49 years and together they raised three daughters: Dr. Joyce Allen-Allison, Robin Allen and Dr. Pamela Allen. Dorice began her educational career as a third grade teacher and secretary at Carver Elementary School. She was the first African American educator to integrate the Enid Public School System. She served as the assistant librarian for 3 years at Enid High School and in 1965, she became the Head Librarian/Media Specialist for Emerson Junior High School where she retired in 1996. She taught English as a second Language and Adult Basic Education for the Enid Board of Education for 13 years. Dorice was actively involved in a host of civic and community organizations: Chair, Booker T. Washington Community Center Board of Directors, 1976-83; Director, The Recreation and Summer Feeding Program at Booker T. Washington Center, 1976-83; Member, United Way Board; Salvation Army Advisory Board; Autry Vo-Tech Board of Directors; Enid Community Relations Commission; American Association of University Women; Oklahoma Education Association, Women’s Christian Temperance Union; Inter-racial Women’s Club of Enid; and Garfield County Library Board. Dorice received many honors and accolades during her career: Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame Inductee; Enid Teacher of the Year; Outstanding Alumnus for Booker T. Washington High School; Outstanding Alumnus for Oakwood College; YWCA Woman of the Year; Dorice Allen Library at Emerson Jr. High School; Dorice Allen Recreation Room at Booker T. Washington Recreation Center; and Enid Walk of Fame Inductee (posthumously), to name a few. Those who knew Dorice Allen found her to be a positively uplifting, genuine individual who liberally gave encouragement and truly cared for others. Her love for God permeated her entire life allowing her to make a tremendous impact on her family, friends, church and community.
