Promoted to Glory: Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee
Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee was Promoted to Glory from his home in Lawrenceville, Georgia on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. He was 72.
Allen Edward Satterlee was born on April 21, 1953, at McDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. He was the middle of three sons to Don and Mary (Butters) Satterlee. As a teenager, Allen attended a Salvation Army corps meeting for the first time. He was so stunned by the experience that he didn’t know whether he liked or disliked The Salvation Army. But the joyful exuberance in the meeting, the creative preaching of the officer – utilizing tattooed forearms to illustrate a point – and a teenager bravely standing to give testimony of his walk with Christ eventually sold Allen on this unique movement of God. For the rest of his life, serving the Lord through The Salvation Army was his passion.
Answering God’s call to serve as a Salvation Army officer, Allen entered the School for Officers’ Training in September 1973 as a member of the Soldiers of the Cross session of cadets. Following his ordination and commissioning, he served in corps appointments in St. Petersburg, Melbourne, and Tallahassee, Florida, and he went on to open the work in West Pasco County, Florida.
Allen met his beloved bride, Esther Sands, while both officers were working at a Salvation Army summer camp, and they married on January 2, 1982. They enjoyed sharing their life, ministry, and family for 43 years. Together, they served as corps officers in various cities before Allen was appointed as the director of The Salvation Army’s Southern Territorial Historical Center.
Allen completed his formal education through Liberty University and developed an impressive journalistic career writing for the “Southern Spirit,” “The War Cry,” and “The Officer” magazine published at International Headquarters. He also began writing and publishing books, beginning with “Notable Quotables,” followed by “Sweeping Through the Land.” His career in journalism flourished, and Allen went on to complete 13 books with another currently in the process of publication.
God called Majors Allen and Esther Satterlee to serve overseas, beginning a rich experience of coming alongside people in ministry in other countries including Singapore, Papua New Guinea, and Western Jamaica. In addition to leadership roles, Allen was appointed as editor of several countries’ “War Cry” publications. He felt incredibly humbled and honored that God would allow him these many opportunities to serve Him around the world.
Allen’s final appointment was as national editor-in-chief for the publications department at National Headquarters (NHQ) in Alexandria, Virginia. In that position, Allen was able to expand the exposure of Salvation Army-authored books through cooperation with other publishers.
Retiring from NHQ to Lawrenceville, Georgia in 2019, Allen continued working for the Army, serving as editor of the “Southern Spirit,” and later as territorial spiritual life development officer. Through these positions, as well as his influence in the Territorial Literary Council, Allen championed Salvation Army authors and the international sharing of written resources.
Ever the faithful soldier, Allen continued to personally minister far and wide, beginning an online adult Sunday school class as well as a monthly writers’ group to assist with enhancing writers’ skills. His faithfulness and wisdom in these endeavors were an encouragement to many.
It was evident that everything Allen did throughout his life was intended for the glory of God and for bringing others to Him. In his monthly article for the “Southern Spirit” in August 2024, Allen wrote, “…a harvest delayed is not a harvest denied. We sow seeds, not knowing when or where they might bloom. Sometimes we are privileged to see the results: a head bows in prayer, someone kneels at the altar. Sometimes we hear…at a much later time. But the work of faith is not tallied on a calendar, marked out on a ledger, or keystroked as data entry. So, we keep sowing, remaining faithful and leaving it in God’s hands for Him to do what only He can do. In His time.” His beautiful life of passionate ministry has already impacted countless people around the world, and his legacy will continue to bless others and bring them to the throne of God through his written words for years to come.
In addition to his beloved wife, Esther, Allen is survived by his brother, Mark (Mary) Satterlee, his sister, Melissa Montgomery, his children Jay (Chastity) Satterlee, Sharon (John) Autry, Jon Satterlee, and Anna Satterlee. He was the proud grandfather of Shannon, Jayme (Chris), Kayde, Cloey, Eliana, Isaiah, Sebastion, Claudia, Jackson, and Jayden. He is preceded in death by his brother, Bob Satterlee.