A life Fullfilled Alender C Dallas finished her blessed journey in this life passing peacefully at home on Friday November 17. Viewing services Wednesday, November 29 3pm-6pm at Scott Funeral Home 1215 Martin Luther King Jr Way Tacoma, WA 98405. Funeral service Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Shiloh Baptist Church 1211 South I street Tacoma, WA 98405.

Obituary of Alender Dallas

Alender was born in Tupelo, Mississippi on August 22, 1933, to Reverend and Mrs. George Hadley. She is the 5th of 9 children. She enjoyed growing up in Tupelo. She worked in a mortuary, painting fingernails and was a lovely Debutant. In 1950, she graduated from George Washington Carver High School. After graduating, she moved to Mount Clemens Michigan and started a government job at Selfridge Air Base. On her early morning bus ride to work she noticed a young man sleeping. To wake him she threw her earmuffs at him. He woke, got off the bus and kept her earmuffs. Soon they began dating. His name was James Dallas. They fell in love and married on August 18, 1951.

James was an enlisted Airman. Together they moved to Little Rock AFB with their first born Algerita. So, her child could attend school there, she fought and campaigned against the segregated school system. She wrote letters to Daisy Bates and the US President Eisenhower. Linda enjoyed sewing. On their anniversary James bought her a Singer sewing machine. Their second child Jamraydal was born in Little Rock.

In the early 60’s, the family moved to Ramey AFB in Puerto Rico. There Bentee and Janderia were born. She met Gloria Hogan who was also having children. The two became best friends. They shared maternity clothes and a love for shopping. While enduring the challenges of motherhood, Linda sought further stimulation. She began taking college courses and volunteered to work at a dental clinic. In fact, even though the military frequently moved the family around (about yearly), Linda always found a job, an educational opportunity, or hobby to fill her time and enhance her life.

The family moved to Tacoma. Washington where her sister Meriam Roach was living. Alender began working as a rental manager. She quickly noticed it seemed easier to sell a home than rent. So, she got herself a real estate license in 1966. She even bought a home for $10,000. While in Atwater, California she rode around in an airplane with a fellow agent to sell homes. The family moved back to Tacoma then back to California Sacramento this time. She did not let the frequent moves disrupt the flow of the family’s lives. She was always the best mom on the block. She made homemade birthday cakes she decorated with her children’s favorites. She had an incredible since of fashion. And always kept her family in the latest outfits. She would often sew them herself. Every holiday, i.e. Christmas. was the best.

When they returned to Tacoma, Mom became a charter member of the Mary Church Terrell Club. Somewhere along the way, she started bowling. A hobby she continued for years.

Lockbourne AFB in Columbus Ohio is where she was reunited with her favorite fashionista and shopping bestie Gloria Hogan. She also became an Avon sells representative.

The early 70’s carried her to Wichita Kansas. In the local paper there was an advertisement seeking people to come to school and learn a trade. Linda and her friends took advantage and began learning how to upholster furniture. Well, first they did the neighbor’s car. But then moved onto furniture. They began reupholstering furniture to give to soldiers. She was also a gifted seamstress and loved to make clothes. Her family expanded when four of her brother’s children came to live in the household. At first, she struggled, but she quickly figured out how to feed that many kids. Of course, the sewing helped with the clothes situation.

More moving occurred between California (Riverside) and Tacoma before they were given their final duty station at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. It was in Idaho in the mid 70’s, when Linda joined the

Eastern Stars. She did it on a bargain she made with Joe B. Mc Neil. If he wore a pair of white pantyhose, she would join.

Her husband retired and they moved back to Tacoma. In Tacoma Linda started the Stars of the East fundraising program. Linda became a Past Matron of Esther Chapter #27 Order of the Eastern Star. She became a member of Yemen Court #12 Daughter of Isis. As a member of Willie K. Jennings Court #6 Heroines of Jericho, she served as the Grand Queen of Youth. Overseeing the youth palace for many years. She enjoyed working with the children and taking them on trips to Leavenworth and Wild Waves. In recognition of her service, she received an Honorary Most Ancient Grand Matron.

She attended Clover Park College and received her Day Care Provider license. Dallas Mini Day Care Center was opened for business. And remained that way for over a decade. In the 80’s Linda moved her parents from Mississippi and into her home. The Red Cross provided meals for her father. She mistakenly thought they came from Catholic Community Service. So, she began volunteering with CCS as a driver that took senior to the doctor. CCS offered her employment. She remained with them serving in many different capacities. She was always willing to help start up new programs. Linda ran the adult day care center and later began the first African American Meal site. The regulars from the meal site began a birthday club that meets presently. She is a founding member of the Mississippi Club and the Mary Church Terrill Social and Civic Club, which sponsor a house on Rainier school in Buckley WA for disabled men. She is also a member of Civitan now known as the Puget Sound Volunteers

She is a long-time member of Miles Memorial CME. Serving as an usher and a missionary. In 2000 James and Linda renewed their vows at Miles.

Linda loves traveling, her friends, her church, and hanging out with her family.

She eventually retired when she was around 75 but she went back to work part time. She doesn’t know the meaning of retirement. She is always involved in her community, her church Miles Memorial CME, her organizations and the care of her family. She turned 90 years old in August and celebrated with family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Emma and George Hadley, all her siblings Lucinda, Aderia Topp, Meriam Roach, Thomas L. Hadley, Ageorge, Benjamin, Oberlee and Jeannette Johnson,

and her husband James Rocky Dallas, her two sons Jamraydal and Bentee and a granddaughter Alendra. She leaves behind a loving family- Daughters Algerita and Janderia, son-in-law Romaine, Grandchildren Christara, Jason, Jaimie and Alexandrite, great grandchildren Vanshae, DeMarion, Josiah, Keyondre, Zaccheus, Kemonee and Dallas. And a host of nieces and nephews and very dear friends.