Chick Allen
Sebastian Joseph "Chick" Allen (born July 19, 1938 in Bessemer; died July 7, 2008 in Bessemer) was the long-time choir director at Hueytown High School.
Allen was a graduate of Bessemer High School, and went on to the University of Alabama where he was a member of the Million Dollar Marching Band. At Hueytown, Allen started the Swingers Show Choir in the early 1970s and led it until his resignation in 1986.
On July 7, 2008, Allen was found murdered in his home in the 400 block of Memorial Drive. Police initially arrested Donald Powell, a handyman of 15 years for properties which Allen owned in Bessemer. Powell had been the last person seen with Allen, and Powell was in Allen's will to recieve thousands of dollars. After Powell was released from jail upon posting bail, he spotted Allen's car being driven in Bessemer and alerted police. Recovery of the car led to the arrest of Christopher Allen Jones, who has confessed to Allen's murder.
A memorial service for Allen was held at St Aloysius Catholic Church in Bessemer, and he is interred in Cedar Hill Cemetery. Several former Swingers Show Choir members sang at his funeral.
External links
- Memories of Chick Allen on HHS Gophers website
References
- "Sebastian Joseph 'Chick' Allen" (July 13, 2008) obituary, Birmingham News.
- Gordon, Robert K. (August 6, 2008) "A suspect in Sebastian Chick Allen's murder helps find a new suspect." Birmingham News