Benjamin Jerome Allen (Beni) was born March 28, 1959, to the late Edith Virginia Allen in Alabaster, AL.

Benjamin attended Thompson High School where he played basketball, which led to a championship in 1978. He joined the army after high school in 1978, for seven years. Later in life he worked at Mississippi Lime Plant in Calera, AL.

Benjamin was preceded in death by his son, RaKhem Dominique Shields.

He leaves to cherish his memories: a devoted wife, Jessica Allen; two daughters, Keisha Oden of Calera, AL, Kayla Allen of Atlanta, GA; three sons, Adrian Caffey, Nicholas Caffey both of Calera, AL, Santoniel Shealey of Birmingham, AL; five sisters, Linda Desmond of Bessemer, AL, Diane Swift, Barbara Allen, Emphress Allen all of Alabaster, AL, Patricia Davis of Clanton, AL; ten grandchildren; a special and caring niece whom was there to help with his care, he called her his baby, Avaon Gaiters; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.