Dec. 16, 1941 – Oct. 1, 2011

DERIDDER, La. — Services for retired Sgt. Major Allen Yancy, 69, of DeRidder, La., who died Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, at his home surrounded by family and friends, will be at noon Saturday at Star of Bethlehem Baptist Church with the Rev. Alvin Peters Sr. officiating.

Burial will follow at Starlight Cemetery under the direction of Myers Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

Mr. Yancy was born Dec. 16, 1941, in Natchez, the son of Robert Yancy and Alberta Chatman. He grew “in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.”

Allen was educated in the Natchez public school system, graduating from Sadie V. Thompson High School. He was a state champion basketball player and lettered in football. After the death of his mother, he declined an athletic scholarship from Mississippi Valley State University in order to care for his siblings. He entered the U.S. Army in 1964, and served his country with courage and valor. He rose from the rank of private to sergeant major, retiring in 1988. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam. Other duty stations were Fort Polk, La., Fort Hood, Texas and Fort Sheridan, Ill. He entered the recruiting command with duties in Waterloo, Iowa, Lansing, Mich., Milwaukee, Wis., and Peoria, Ill.

Mr. Yancy retired in 1987, and returned to DeRidder, La., with his family. At each of his duty stations, he became a vital part of the community. Becoming the first African American to serve as commander of American Legion Post 138 in Waterloo and being elected to state offices and placed on national committees was a testimony to his leadership. Even as his health declined, he remained an active and dedicated community servant-serving as president of the 911 Board, the Beauregard Community Action Association, Neighborhood Watch member and on the Advisory Committee of Head Start. He supported a number of other civic organizations. An active and dedicated member of the Beech Grove Baptist Church, he served as deacon, adult Sunday school teacher, church treasurer, van driver, volunteer custodian and worked at whatever his hands found to do.

He leaves a legacy of love, humor, wisdom and most of all righteousness that will remain in the hearts of all those who crossed his paths. Those who love him unconditionally and ternally, who will cherish his memory always and continue to trust in God until we meet him again are his wife, Jerrye; two sons, Bryan T. McNair and wife, Leonia, of DeRidder and Winfred Jones and wife, Carolyn, of Leesville, La.; one daughter, Alisa Yancy of DeRidder; four maternal siblings, Charles Smith and wife, Delores, of Indianapolis, Ind., Frank James Russell of Sacramento, Calif., Lionell Smith and wife, Linda, of DeRidder and Viola Jackson and husband, Larry, of Natchez; nine paternal siblings, Theadore Yancy and wife, Bertha, of Maywood, Ill., Adolph Green and wife, Delores, Robert Green, Ruthie Green and husband, Milton, Marva Jones, Mertis Fleming, E.J. Conner and Kenneth Wayne Green, all of Natchez, and Marcus Green of Vidalia; four grandchildren, Stephanie, Britney, Karyn and Kory Allen and Bryce Alexander; two great-grandchildren, Cadavi and Mai Amour; and six godchildren, Angela McKnight and husband, Walter, James Lucas St. Romain, Bonita Rogers and husband, George, Elmer Johnson Jr., “Yancy’s Lil Girl” Abigail Rogers and husband, Willie, and Vincent Butcher and wife, Stalanda.