Julio Allen, 33, of Rockford, went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 19, 2018 in Knoxville, TN. Born on June 4, 1984, son of Tomango Sanders and Connie Mangrum. Julio was part of the 1997 Booker Washington Center National Championship team in Las Vegas, NV. Attended East High School, later received his GED. He was employed as a mason at Wasco Construction in Knoxville. Julio was a wonderful and loving father, caring son and greatly loved by his siblings. He enjoyed all sports, especially football. Survived by his mother, Connie; step-father, M.C. Simmons; fiancée, Drema Smith; children, Quaz, Ayanna, Adiah; siblings, Para, Aamad, Tiffany, Calvin; grandmother, Costella Sanders; uncles, Keith (Jean) Sanders, Steve Sanders; Aunts, Renee Gray, Sheila Sanders, Lazunda Sanders; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family; and special friends Maurice Simmons Jr. and William Moore Jr. Preceded in death by his father; brother, Tristan Murphy; maternal grandparents, James and Joyce Mangrum; grandfather, Leroy Sanders; uncle, Charles Mangrum, and aunt, Kullie Sanders.
Celebration of Life Saturday, March 17, 2018 at noon, with a memorial visitation at 11 a.m. until the time of service at Heartland Community Church, 1280 S. Alpine Rd. Rockford. Pastor John Brennan will officiate. Repast at Booker Washington Center, 524 Kent Street Rockford from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. following the service. Memorials to Julio's family may be made in lieu of flowers.