Allan Rufus Prosser, 92 yrs old, passed away August 29, 2023 at 8:42 pm at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana.
Rufus was born to the late Johnnie Luster Prosser and Hellon Effie Landren-Prosser of Bluff Springs Texas. The Prosser family initially traveled from Nashville, Tennessee to homestead, sharecrop, and eventually, own the farm that they worked an lived on. He was the youngest of 13 children raised on the rolling bottom-land surrounding Onion Creek.
During his early years, Allan Rufus attended Rhina Branch School. As the family lived on a farm in a rural community, it was a three mile walk from the farm to school.
Growing up with his brothers, Frank Chester, Willie, and JL, Allan Rufus enjoyed riding, training, and trading horses, raising livestock and hunting wild game.
He moved to Austin with his brother, Frank to live with his older sister, Zelma Prosser-Walker and attend Anderson High School.
Before his Senior year of high school, even though his scholastic achievement surpassed the expectations of his teachers, he was forced to withdraw and enlist in the United States Army to support the family.
During the Korean War, when his other enlistees were deployed to the far east, Allan Rufus was given the responsibility of Cook, serving Army Companies in Europe and the German Rhineland. Achieving the rank of Corporal, he directed and trained his cooking staff, specializing in the fine art of Texas Barbecue.
Following the completion of his military service, he returned to Austin to work in the new family business, again with his brothers, at the St. Anthony Hotel. Frank Prosser had earned the position of head waiter by this time so he employed his brothers and relatives to serve the large banquets and events of the day in this historic and esteemed hotel.
Frank was strict and ran a tight operation, with the agreement that, “You were expected to always be on time, be dressed “crisply”, carry yourself with dignity and pride, and abide by the rules”
Realizing his future goals, Rufus applied for acceptance to Huston-Tillotson of Austin, Texas. This HBCU was a fit for his location and fields of study, Chemistry and Mathematics.
Without a high school diploma at his time of application, the Dean of the School took a chance on this Army Veteran to be successful and complete his course of study. Allan Rufus graduated with honors and a double major of Chemistry and Mathematics.
Based on his relationships with the guests of his job at the St. Anthony hotel, he was given a letter of recommendation, interviewed and earned the position of Chemist at the Food and Drug Administration in Washington D.C.
While working in D.C., at the general government cafeteria, he met and eventually married Lowanda Marie Jeffries (passed 11/2/13) of Marion, Indiana, daughter of the late, Frederick and Clara (Newsom) Jeffries.
While living and working in Washington D.C., Rufus and Lowanda were blessed with one son, Allan Frederick Prosser of San Leandro, California.
This 44 year marriage to his soul-mate led to their move to Cincinnati, Ohio where he accepted more responsibility and promotion at the FDA in the field of agriculture isotope irradiation and the health effects of poly-unsaturated fat. After 40 + years, published research in chemistry and leadership as the site EEOC coordinator, Allan Rufus retired with his loving wife to reside in Marion, Indiana.
Together they remained active in the community, assisting his wife in the Allen Temple AME missionary and other social outreach activities.
Allan Rufus and Lowanda Marie shared an interest in automobiles, driving vacations, with Rufus deeply involved in various Ford Mustang renovations. Allan Rufus loved baseball, live blues music, and good barbecue.
His mentorship and friendly, sometimes metaphorical, advice positively affected the lives of innumerable young men and women. He was always willing to listen and calmly give advice with the headline, “In life, there are no re- runs!” encouraging the motivated to seize opportunity when possible and perform at your best when given the opportunity.
The family will receive visitors from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm on Friday, September 8, 2023 at Allen Temple AME, 3440 South Washington St. Marion, Indiana.
Immediately following the time of visitation, a service to celebrate the life of Allan Rufus Prosser will begin at 1:00 pm with Reverend Tanya Smith officiating. Internment will take place at Estates of Serenity.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, North Chapel 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN.
Memories will be shared online at www.nswcares.com
To send flowers to the family of Allan, please visit our floral store.