Opelousas-Born July 20, 1966 to Rebecca Davis and Elton Henry; Carla Yvette Henry Allen; passed away peacefully with family and friends at her side at a private hospital in Fayetteville, Ga., at the age of 46.
She attended Grolee Elementary, Opelousas Junior High, Opelousas Sr. High and Southern University and A & M College where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Masters in Public Administration & Public Policy. She had recently enrolled once again at her Alma Mater (Southern University) to work on her doctorial degree.
Carla’s background in Public Administration allowed her the honor of serving as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention under the Presidency of William Jefferson Clinton. Her service as an Urban Policy Specialist was invaluable and she used that experience in helping community members through her work at the Housing Authority of New Orleans. As a witness to Carla’s faith and belief in God, it was no surprise that she would later move towards a life in the ministry.
She was well respected in Baton Rouge, La., New Orleans, La. and Fayetteville, Ga., were she humbly served her church community. As Co-Pastor of Destiny Christian Center International in Fayetteville, Ga., Carla helped to build a congregation of hundreds, spreading the gospel and inspiring many to serve GOD to their fullest potential. She was a successful business owner of “Fit4ANewLife Fitness Center”and as a personal trainer was featured in the July 2004 edition of Essence Magazine. Believing in the holistic approach to service (Spirit, Mind and Body), Carla owned and operated “Fit4ANewLife Community Center,” where she ran a successful after-school enrichment program with her business partner and dear friend, Markgetta Jackson Langford, of Fayetteville, Ga.
She was a strong advocate in the fight against cancer; she was a proud and loving mother, always very involved in all aspects of her children’s lives, their church, school and extra-curricular interest. She was also an organ donor, determined to help “Find A Cure.”
Carla spent precious moments with her family from Opelousas, La., Lake Charles, La. and Texas during the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday’s (2012), forever smiling and encouraging others around her.
Carla’s worship and service to GOD was recently with The Olivet Church (Fayetteville, Ga.) and she had recently founded her own outreach ministry “Woman of Wisdom Ministries” (W.O.W.) “GETTING WISDOM IS THE WISEST THING YOU CAN DO” Proverbs 4:7
Her legacy and service will continue through her children Glenn Bernard Allen, Jr. and Zoe Allen, both of Fayetteville Ga., her parents Rebecca Davis Henry and Elton Henry of Opelousas, La., four brothers; Yural James, Karl Evans, Adrien (Disary R.) and Demetrius Henry, all of Opelousas, La., two sisters Anitria Henry (Patrick) Thomas of Metairie, La., Robbie Henry of Lake Charles, La. A special niece, Nia T. Henry of Opelousas, La.
A celebration of her life will be held from 7 a.m.-10 a.m. at Williams Funeral Home 817 East Street, Opelousas, La.
Service at Bellevue Street Baptist Church 326 West Bellevue Street, Opelousas, La. 1 p.m., Saturday February 23, 2013.
In lieu of flowers “Donations in Memory of Carla” should be forwarded to “The Trust of Carla Y. Henry Allen” c/o Mr. & Mrs. Elton Henry 818 W. Bellevue Street Opelousas, La.
**Min. Glenn B. Allen, of Destiny Christian Center International, any of its entities and Jonia Milburn has no affiliation with these services or any official or formal arrangements on behalf of Ms. Allen. The family is requesting that all questions and concerns for Mrs. Carla Y. Henry Allen should be directed to Ms. Nia Henry at 954-740-9614**
