Edward Allen III

Edward Carlton Allen III, aﬀectionately known to family and friends as “Tea,” passed away peacefully on July 31, 2026, in the comfort of his home in Portsmouth, Virginia, at the age of 76, surrounded by his loved ones. Tea lived a life marked by service, dedication, family, and a passion for the things he loved. He proudly served 8 years in the United States Army as a photojournalist, where he combined his military service with his talent for capturing people, places, and moments through photography. Following his military service, Tea dedicated 35 years to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard as a Video Production Specialist. Throughout his long career, he contributed his skills, creativity, and dedication to documenting the work and people of the shipyard. Beyond his military and professional service, Tea was a man with many passions. He had a lifelong love for all things with motors, music, and football. Tea spent many years coaching for Churchland Football Association. To the young athletes he coached, and to the families who knew him through the sport, he became aﬀectionately known as “Coach Tea.” His years on the sidelines were about more than football. He gave his time, encouragement, and guidance to young people and became a familiar and respected presence in the local community. Tea was also known for his quirky, dry sense of humor. He had a way of delivering a perfectly timed comment with a straight face, often leaving those around him wondering whether he was joking until the grin finally gave him away. His humor was uniquely his own and became one of the many things his family and friends will miss most. He possessed an impressive knowledge of history and could talk at length about the people, events, and stories of the past. He had an equally remarkable knowledge of vehicles, from the details of how they worked to the history and character behind them. Music was another lifelong passion, and his knowledge and appreciation of it seemed nearly endless. Whether discussing a song, an artist, an automobile, or a moment in history, Tea often knew something about it that others didn't—and he was always happy to share what he knew. And then there was his love of the Redskins. Tea never missed a Redskins game on television. Game day was an event, and his enthusiasm for his team was unmistakable. His love of the Redskins extended well beyond watching the games—he could never seem to have enough Redskins memorabilia. Jerseys, personalized license plates, hats, collectibles, and anything else bearing the team name or colors seemed to always have a place in his world. For Tea, being a fan wasn't simply something he did; it was part of who he was. These passions were more than hobbies; they were part of what made Tea who he was. His curiosity, sharp mind, humor, and ability to remember seemingly endless details made conversations with him memorable. He could teach you something, make you laugh, and occasionally leave you wondering how he possibly knew that particular piece of information in the first place. Tea is survived by his children, Haley Swanson, Carl Allen, Brandi Barnes, and Jacqueline Blazon; seven grandchildren; his siblings, Martha Phillips, Roger Allen, and Laurie Luongo; and many nieces and nephews who will continue to cherish his memory. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rear Admiral Edward Carlton Allen Jr. and Bernice Harrington Allen. He shared a unique and special bond with each family member, loving them deeply in his own individual way. Each of his children knew a diﬀerent side of him and held a special place in his heart. Though every relationship had its own journey, his love for his four children remained an undeniable part of who he was. A memorial service for immediate family will be held at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery on September 24, 2026 and a Celebration of Life will follow and will be open to friends and family from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at New Realm Brewing Company in Suﬀolk, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society and/or the Churchland Football Association, in honor of Tea and the causes and community that were meaningful to him. Tea will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. The impact he made on his family, friends, and community will remain a lasting part of his legacy.