Allen

Jo Ann Hale Allen passed away peacefully on July 2, 2022, at the age of 85.

The family plans a small, private memorial service at the IOOF Cemetery in the coming weeks.

Mrs. Allen was born in Rockdale in 1936 to John T. and Gertrude Hale.

She attended Rockdale High School, graduating in 1954. She then attended the University of Texas, where she met the love of her life, Walter Allen. They were married at Rockdale’s St. Thomas Episcopal Church in 1957, then settled in Houston.

Mrs. Allen loved being around young people. She volunteered to work in the school library at Bammel Middle School in the Spring ISD. She could often be seen in the library offering a sympathetic ear to students who had gone to her for companionship (and probably to skip class).

She later became involved with the school system’s music department, providing piano accompaniment for students competing in UIL solo contests. She also ran Spring ISD’s music private lessons program.

Mrs. Allen loved spending time at the schools chatting with the students and music teachers while the lessons were in progress.

The highlights of her later years were celebrating Christmas each year, beating her grandchildren in checkers and chess, completing crossword puzzles and playing the piano, which her husband enjoyed immensely.

Mrs. Allen was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Virginia Hale Garrett; and a brother John T. Hale Jr.

She leaves behind her husband of 64 years; a son, Craig Allen of Decatur, Georgia, and wife Lèlani; a daughter, Jill Jennings of Round Rock and husband Michael (her “awesome Aussie,” as Jo Ann called him); her grandchildren, Lee Allen, of Atlanta, Ethan Jennings of Mountain View, California, Avery Jennings of Sunnyvale, California, Tasj-Mari Myers of Decatur and Lilianna “Kai” Allen of Decatur.