Sarah Joe Allen

Sarah Joe Allen, 86, died Tuesday, June 22, 2010, at an Abilene medical center. The daughter of Della Higginbotham Wragg and George Riley Wragg, Sarah Joe was born on Thursday, November 1, 1923, in Abilene, Texas. She was a 1941 graduate of Abilene High School and received her Master's Degree in Education from Hardin-Simmons University. Sarah Joe married Charles Austin Allen on June 10, 1966 in Abilene. From 1945 to 1960, she taught in Borger, Texas. In Abilene, she taught fifth grade in AISD at Jane Long Elementary for 26 years. She taught for a total of 41 years. She grew up at University Baptist Church and had been a long time, very active member there all her life teaching a Sunday School class for around 60 years. Sarah Joe sent postcards weekly to friends and family for many years. This was to let them know someone was thinking of them. She referred to this as her "Postcard Ministry". She had been an active member of the Abilene Retired Teachers Group since 1986. Active in Cobb Park Senior Citizens Center, Sarah Joe was a volunteer assistant director and also helped with serving meals for 25 years. She had been a member of Delta Kappa Gamma for 44 years, and was an active member of the Athenian Club. She was predeceased by her husband, Charles Allen, on September 5, 1997; parents, and one brother, William Riley Wragg. Sarah Joe is survived by her sister, Johnny Flo Moutray of Abilene. A nephew, Worth Moutray and wife Diedra of Abilene. Their children, Amanda Stamps of Moore, Oklahoma, Tyler and Whitney Moutray, both of Abilene. Niece, Melinda Flournoy and her husband Greg, as well as their daughter, Hannah Flournoy, all of Edmond, Oklahoma. Her stepson, David Allen and wife Eileen of Mahomet, Illinois; step granddaughter, Elizabeth Louise Richardson of Saginaw, Michigan; and step great grandsons, James Andrew Richardson and Camden Richardson. There are also numerous cousins. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 25, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene officiated by Rev. Roland Gregory. Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 24, at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Tyler Moutray, Josh Stamps, Mike Dickey, Ricky Thompson, Blake Champion, and Josh Hardcastle. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 209 S. Danville Dr., Bldg. B, Suite 107, Abilene, Texas 79605.