Teresa (Terri) Ann Allen's Obituary
Teresa (Terri) Ann Allen passed away peacefully with family by her side on November 23, 2024. She was born on November 8, 1954, in Salina, KS, to Dr. Robert Sullivan McLaughlin and Jennie Evelyn Clay.
She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Jay Allen; two sons, Dane Williams and Zachary Allen; one daughter, Jaymi Jackson; one brother, Clay McLaughlin; and five grandchildren, Oliver Jackson, Sullivan Jackson, Hazel Williams, Maverick Williams, and Avery Allen.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Kathy Stuart, and her grandmother Ruby Clay (Nana).
Terri grew up in a close family household in Shawnee, OK. The household included her, her parents, her brother and sister, and her beloved grandmother Nana with whom she had a close and special relationship.
Terri was an absolute beauty in body and soul. Terri graduated from Shawnee High School in 1973 and participated in the Miss Shawnee Beauty Pageant her senior year in high school, finishing second runner-up. Her talent in the competition was dance which she studied with her younger sister Kathy as they grew up together. Terri earned other beauty titles and recognition in Shawnee, and while she was always humble about her beauty, she enjoyed that several of her close friends jokingly referred to her as “Miss Oklahoma.”
Terri held various jobs after high school including working as an optometry assistant in her father’s office. Her father Dr. Bob was a well-known optometrist and community leader in Shawnee. Terri inherited her dad’s infectious smile which she passed on to her children and grandchildren.
Terri met the love of her life, Jay, in 1984 in Tulsa, OK. Soon Terri was a devoted and stay at home mother to her growing family as Jay’s career took their family to St. Louis, Nashville and ultimately to Northwest Arkansas in 1995 which became home.
While Terri had many friends and interests, her family was everything to her. As Jay pursued a busy career, Terri took the lead role in raising their three children and running the household. Under Terri’s loving guidance all three children are grown and successful, with families of their own. Terri was so proud of them all.
As the children grew up, Terri pursued a number of volunteer and community interests, including serving as Board Chairman of the Boys & Girls Club of Benton County. She also served on the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion Commission in Little Rock, a gubernatorial appointment. In addition to her community service, Terri deeply loved her country and loved to fly the American flag. She volunteered as a poll worker in multiple elections.
Terri and Jay also enjoyed many Razorback football and basketball games together, and after Jay retired from full time work in 2005, they enjoyed extensive travels including cruises, visits to family and friends across the country, and memorable trips to France and Alaska. She also took many trips to Texas to see family there including her twin grandsons, Ollie and Sully.
A special service to celebrate Terri’s life will be held 1:00 pm, Tuesday, December 3, in Hunt Chapel, 5930 S. Wallis Road in Rogers.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Terri’s memory to the Boys & Girls Club of Benton County, bgcbentoncounty.org
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