A face you know: that of Allen Gordon

11/19/10 1:02 PM - Everyday People, all

By: Sandy Dickson

When you go into the Zion-Benton library, you often see the smiling face of Allen Gordon. His very countenance emits gentleness and friendliness. He’s there to serve and he loves his job.

Allen was born in Nashville, Tennessee, but because his mother died when he was five, his father’s mother accepted the responsibility of raising him and his younger sister, Annie. They moved to Columbia, Tennessee, about 34 miles southeast of Nashville, where the grandmother was a domestic worker. Later, she got a job as a maid for a Highland Park, IL family who wintered in Florida. Since her time in Florida was during the school year, the children lived with their great-grandmother in Columbia, Tennessee where Allen attended kindergarten through 4th grades.

Eventually they moved to Highland Park, IL. where Allen completed grades 4 through 7 in the elementary school system. He greatly enjoyed living in Highland Park and when he grew older, loved working as golf caddy at a local country club there where he was well-liked by the golfers. The illness of his great-grandmother took them back to Columbia, TN so she could be cared for in a proper manner.

Playing on football and basketball teams for his, read more...