Jean Arthur 'Barney' (Allen) Prillerman

Jean Arthur Allen Prillerman, age 76, peacefully slept away on July 28, 2017. A 40-plus year resident of Columbus, Ohio, Jean was born in Lakeview, Illinois, and lived in Maywood, Illinois throughout her adolescence. Jean’s ancestral family, the Allens, were part of a group of the first settlers of free men who incorporated the town of Lakeview in the 1850’s. The Allens were historically affiliated with the A.M.E. church from the 1850’s onward. She graduated from Proviso East High School, in Maywood, in 1959. She was joined in marriage to Conrad Prillerman on July 21, 1967 and remained happily married until his demise in 1989. Jean gave her life to the Lord at an early age in the A.M.E. church. She remained a very faithful member to her church and her faith. She joined Mt. Vernon in 1963 under her maternal uncle and aunt, Arthur and Greta Shelton, who were already long standing members of the church. She loved Mt. Vernon A.M.E., and always invited her friends to attend special church events. Jean loved her pastor, and her heart belonged to her choir. She belonged to the Regeneration and Mass choirs, and was also a church trustee for over twenty years. She was also a devoted volunteer for the church’s Thanksgiving Dinner for many years. We will miss Jean, but we know her soul was truly anchored in the Lord. Jean was a person who was always prepared for anything. If you needed a pen, she had it - salt and pepper, she had it-hot sauce, she had it! Jean began her career in 1963 here in Columbus with Traveler’s Insurance as the trailblazing 2nd African American female in the company. She worked for Traveler’s and retired after 30 years of service. She then began a second career as a dedicated worker of Columbus City Schools as a Food Service Manager for Linden Elementary School. She was very devoted to the children of the school and made sure she was able to give them the best meals she could offer to them. She was well respected and adored by the kitchen staff, teachers, administrators, students, and parents of the school. Along with her husband, she was preceded in death by parents Thomas and Evelyn Allen; brother Thomas Allen; sister Patricia Ann Brown; step-son Michael Prillerman; nephew William Prillerman. Survived by niece, Kimberly A. Brown, great-nephew, Kimari Brown, both of Maywood, IL; step-son, Charles Prillerman; aunt, Geraldine Pate; cousin and special godchild, Marsha Pate; dear friends whom she regarded as honorary nieces, Vickie Darthard, Tara Tucker of Columbus, OH, and Roxanne Darthard-Lockman of Reisterstown, MD; best friend Patricia Tucker-Welch, significant friend Arthur E. Hill, and a host of other beautiful, special and wonderful friends and relatives. Jean was an exceptional woman, and all who knew her, knew of her love, friendship, caring, and above all, her classy demeanor.