Dr. Sarah Jo Allen, age 27, passed away on September 29th, 2026. Sarah suffered an unexpected stroke early Sunday morning, September 13th. Despite her immense bravery and the heroic efforts of her doctors, Sarah’s injuries were far too severe for recovery.

Please join us in celebrating Sarah’s life on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Indiana Ave. Baptist Church, 9507 Indiana Ave., Lubbock, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you hold your loved ones tight and cherish every moment with them.

Sarah was born in Amarillo, Texas, on May 7, 1980. She grew up in the small panhandle town of Tulia, Texas. After graduating high school in 1998, she attended Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas, obtaining her bachelor’s degree in 2002. After graduation, Sarah moved back to the South Plains, taking a job with AHEC of the Plains and then, in 2004, securing a role with South Plains College that brought her to Lubbock.

In 2011, Sarah accepted an FCS teaching position with Lubbock Cooper High School and, over her 13-year teaching career, grew the Cooper High School FCS and Culinary programs into the success they are today. During her career, Sarah continued her education, obtaining her Master’s in Education from Texas Tech University and then pursuing her PhD.

In 2024, Sarah was awarded the Texas FCS Teacher of the Year award for her outstanding career as an educator. Later that year, Sarah completed her doctoral studies and received her PhD in Family and Consumer Sciences Education. Dr. Allen then moved out of the classroom and into the Career and Technology Education Director’s role for the Lubbock Cooper School District.

Sarah was blessed to have a career that combined two of her biggest passions in life, education and food. While teaching, her world revolved around her students and how she could make an impression on each of their lives. Outside of work, Sarah continued her love of food by cooking for loved ones every chance she got and traveling to experience new cuisines. With multiple trips to Europe and across the United States, Sarah’s first priority on any trip was always where to eat.

Sarah was also passionate about gardening, spreading her green thumb across a plethora of greenery and projects around her home. Her favorite pastime was sleeping. Anyone who knew Sarah knew she was a champion sleeper. But by far her best quality was being a mother to Andrew and Max. Having the boys changed her perspective on life, and Sarah’s first thought was always of her boys and their well-being. Sarah expressed her love through food and comfort, both of which she showered her boys with every chance she got.

Sarah is survived by her husband of 22 years, Michael; her two boys, Andrew, age 15, and Max, age 11; her parents, Ben and Susan Howard; her sister, Missy Howard, (Katie Pfau); her brother, Chad Howard, his wife, Carole, and their two girls, Madison and Hailey; her biological mother, Stephanie Challis; her mother-in-law, Carol Sanders, and her husband, Boyett; her brother-in-law, Jeffrey Allen, and his wife, Brianna; and her beloved basset hound, Willie Nelson.

The impact of Dr. Allen will be felt for generations through the hundreds of former students, colleagues, and family she leaves behind. Her absence will leave a hole in all our hearts, but the memory of her will lift us all. Above all, Sarah loved unconditionally; if we take anything away from this experience, let it be a reason to spread the love Sarah missed out on.