Nicole Mae Allen's Obituary
Nicole Mae Allen, 40, was born in San Jose, California on June 24, 1985, the youngest child of Cassandra Steptoe and Charles Allen.
Nicole spent much of her early childhood in Seaside, held closely by her grandparents, Arch and Grady Mae Allen. Her early years were marked by upheaval and unimaginable trials — the loss of her father to gang violence, the trauma of surviving being run over by a semi-truck, and the instability of a life that shifted constantly beneath her feet. Yet through every storm, Nicole met the world with a radiant smile, a hopeful heart, and an unshakable belief that better days were coming. In her early teenage years, she moved to Sunnyvale, where she lived with her mother and sister.
At sixteen, Nicole welcomed her first child, Diamond, her soldier boy — a moment that reshaped her purpose and filled her world with new meaning. During her later teen years she entered the foster system, but even there, her spirit remained unmistakable: outgoing, well loved, full of life. She graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School, where she was crowned Prom Queen, a testament to her warmth and the effortless way people gravitated toward her.
Nicole later moved to San Francisco to be near her mother, and outside of Larkin Street — the program that helped her secure her first apartment — she met Jesus Rodriguez, the father of her younger children. They were young and in love, building the foundation for the stable family she had dreamed of since girlhood. During this time she attended City College of San Francisco, pregnant with her second son, Jesus, lovingly known as Papa.
Nicole and her family eventually moved to Vallejo, where she discovered her faith at Victory Outreach Vallejo and fell deeply in love with God. Her relationship with Christ became the anchor of her life, shaping how she raised her children and how she carried herself through the world. She and Jesus later married, strengthening their family bond. In time, Nicole returned to San Francisco and stayed at Raphael House before settling in Oakland, where she became pregnant with her third son, Elijah, her Bear. She continued nurturing a faith-filled home and grew spiritually at Victory Outreach Oakland.
In the years that followed, Nicole gave birth to her first daughter, Genesis — her beloved Gigi. Having a daughter was a dream fulfilled. Nicole mothered not only her own children but many of their friends as well, gathering youth into her home, feeding them, praying with them, taking them to church, hosting Bible studies and movie nights, and creating a haven where they felt protected, uplifted, and utterly loved. Countless young people found belonging, purpose, and a relationship with God because of the tenderness and depth of her faith.
Her family later worshiped at Victory Outreach Hayward, where Nicole continued mentoring and supporting youth. During this time she pursued further education at San Francisco State and became a travel agent with Evolution Travel, a role in which she thrived, earning the distinction of Gold Consultant.
After the devastating loss of Lee Weathersby III, one of the youth she had mentored, Nicole and the young people she cared for founded a nonprofit in his honor. Through this work, she offered community, healing, and hope to the youth who needed it most.
In 2014, Nicole welcomed her youngest child and second daughter, Zion — her Wah Wah. Shortly afterward, she accomplished what she once doubted was possible: graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Women and Gender Studies, all while raising five children on her own. Her four youngest children were named intentionally, each rooted in Scripture. Her resilience, faith, and determination shaped every step of her journey.
Nicole will be remembered for her luminous smile, her generous spirit, her boundless love for God, and her ability to speak to anyone without judgment. She cared deeply, gave freely, welcomed openly, and created memories through reading to her children, cooking for them, traveling together, and leading them faithfully in church. She leaves behind a legacy of love, safety, encouragement, and unwavering presence. Her door, her heart, and her faith were always open.
Nicole is preceded in death by her father, Charles Allen, and her grandparents, Grady Mae and Arch Allen.
She is survived by her mother, Cassandra; her siblings, Nakesha and Monzelle; her five beautiful children — Diamond, Jesus, Elijah, Genesis, and Zion — as well as a large extended family, business partners, many friends, and the countless young people whose lives were profoundly shaped by her love.
A viewing will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025 from 5 - 8 p.m. at Chapel of The Chimes, 4499 Piedmont ave, Oakland, Ca. 94611 and a Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held on Friday, November 22, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Chapel of The Chimes, 4499 Piedmont ave, Oakland, Ca. 94611. Nicole will be cremated and taken home with her family. Repast to follow at West Oakland Farm Park, 2847 Peralta St, Emeryville, Ca. 94608.
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