Sarah Allen

Mrs. Sarah Allen passed away in Atlanta, Georgia on Wednesday, April 23, 2014.

A chapter has closed for the lovely Sarah Lawrence Allen – a woman who collected and produced beautiful things. Her demeanor was tempered and quiet, like the libraries where she spent her professional career. But her heart roared like a lion for the sons nurtured under her care.

Sarah was born in Evanston, Illinois on July 21, 1937 to the late Willis R. Lawrence, Sr. and the late Sarah Patterson Lawrence. She had three siblings, Willis R. Lawrence, Jr., James E. Lawrence and Essie Lawrence-McNeal.

Sarah would leave Illinois and head south to North Carolina for college in 1955. She was intrigued at the thought of attending a school with a mission to educate African American women. Sarah would become a "Bennett Belle," and graduate from Bennett College for Women, with a degree in French. Her education continued at Rutgers University, where she earned a Masters in Library Science.

Sarah would marry Remus C. Allen of Tallahassee in 1961. Three sons were born to that union – Scott L. Allen, Rondall E. Allen and Sheldon L. Allen. The Allen family would live in Germany before moving to Tallahassee. Sarah spent most of her life as an Episcopalian and raised her sons at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Tallahassee.

In 1970, Sarah would begin her career as a Librarian at the Florida A&M University School of Pharmacy. There she would make life-long friends and build a community in Tallahassee that would become her permanent home. In 2004, she retired from FAMU as a Librarian at Coleman Library.

Sarah was well-loved and respected for the way she lived and raised her sons. While working at FAMU, she also garnered a reputation of being an extraordinary seamstress. Sarah worked for more than a decade at Gayfers Department Store, Dillard's and at Northwood Mall. Many people in Tallahassee can brag about a special baby outfit or an exquisite dress that was sewn by Sarah. She was a lover of fine things, from handmade clothes to jewelry and antiques. And Sarah made time for travel, most recently to Spain.

Sarah forged ties with a wonderful circle of women over her lifetime. She was a member of the Tallahassee Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a member of The Order of the Daughters of the King, a spiritual sisterhood of women, "dedicated to a life of Prayer, Service and Evangelism." Sarah also was a former member of the Tallahassee Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated.

Sarah's parents and brothers preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister, Essie Lawrence-McNeal, Philadelphia, PA; three sons, Scott (Shauna) Allen, Jacksonville, FL; Rondall (Adrienne) Allen, New Orleans, LA; and Sheldon (Gena) Allen, Roswell, GA; eight grandchildren; Jasmine Serine, Sarah Yvonne, Lauren Ray, Carly Alexandria, Jocelyn Celeste, Autumn Elizabeth, Jordyn Alexis and Jonathan Cole; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, good friends and her toy poodle Zoe, a companion for the past decade.