Sarah Elizabeth Allen, affectionately known as “Sissy,” transitioned on September 16, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Sissy was born on February 8th, 1960, at Grace Memorial Hospital, now known as Yale New Haven Hospital, in New Haven, Connecticut, to her beloved late parents, Johnnie and Fannie Brooks.

She was educated in the New Haven Public School system, attending Jesse Scranton Elementary School, Troup Middle School, and Richard C. Lee High School. She also attended CETA trade school, where she studied carpentry and culinary.

As a child and young woman, Sissy loved the simple things in life. She enjoyed being a part of the Phoenix Drill Team and was a member of the Barbell Club. She was also a majorette, a majorette instructor, and a member of the color guard. Even in her younger years, Sissy enjoyed being around people, having fun, and simply enjoying life.

At the age of 19, Sarah met the love of her life, Phillip Allen III. When Phillip first saw Sarah, he knew that he wanted her to be his wife. He knew that she was his “good thing.” The two married, became fruitful and multiplied together. The two built a beautiful family. From their union came 13 children and a family legacy that would continue to grow for generations to come.

Sissy had the biggest heart ever.

If you needed something to eat, she would feed you. If you needed a place to stay, she would shelter you. If you needed clothes on your back, she would clothe you. If you needed a word of wisdom, she would give it to you. And if you needed to be cursed out, Sissy would lay it on you too!

Sissy was an all around people person who loved seeing people happy. She loved to see people laughing, and she loved surrounding herself with love because she herself was the epitome of love.

Sissy had a heart of Gold. She loved deeply. She loved her parents, She loved her siblings, She loved her husband, She loved her children, She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, She loved her cousins, her aunts, her extended family, and her friends. She loved those who loved her, and even when that same love was not always returned to her, Sissy still gave love.

Family meant everything to her.

She enjoyed family game nights, laughing, dancing,

Traveling, celebrating birthdays and special occasions, and simply being surrounded by the people she loved. If you knew Sissy, then you knew that when she was around, it was going to be a good time. You could catch her just chilling and being Sissy laughing, dancing, enjoying herself, and living life.

Sissy also loved to shop. HSN and QVC were among her favorites, and she could shop with the best of them. Many times, she would buy something and never even use it! But that was Sissy. She enjoyed shopping and purchasing things for people. Many of those items her family didn't even know they needed.

Throughout her life, Sissy was a hardworking woman. She worked at Jet Cleaners for many years and later worked as a security guard for Pinkerton Security. She also worked at Newt’s Café and Chazmo’s as a manager. Her lifelong career, however, was at Yale University, where she worked in various departments throughout her years of service.

Above all, Sarah loved God.

For an extended period of time, she was a member of Christian Union Church under the leadership of Apostle Eunice Tucker. She later became a member of New Bethlehem Church on November 28, 2021, under the leadership of Pastor Maria Gore, where she remained a member until her transition.

Sarah leaves behind a strong and beautiful legacy of love a legacy that will continue through the lives of the countless people she loved, helped, encouraged, fed, sheltered, corrected, celebrated, laughed with, prayed for, and welcomed into her heart and home.

She leaves to cherish her precious memory her beloved husband of 44 years, Phillip Allen III; her children, Darnella (Bernard) Tucker, Isaiah (Kisha) Moye, Darrell (Eugenia) Moye, Treasure Moye, Tanisha (Ludger) Chikel, Kareem (Courtney) Moye, Dominque Evans, Alyssa Weeks-Allen, Phillip (Sha’ron) Allen, Marquis (Donesha) Evans, Harold Agnew, and Precious She also leaves to cherish her memory her 49 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, as well as her niece, Erika Brooks. Kennard Evans-Simmons who was like a brother. Both of whom she loved like her own children.

Her godchildren, Tyrice Clarke, Destiny Amaker, Jeremiah Smallz, Neveah Slade, and Izayah Watts.

Her extended children, Rose Hardin, Andrea Blackwell, Nakia Dawson Douglas, Bernice Dawson, Kakisha Foster, Simone Stanley, Jason Stanley, Damian Martin, Leroy Steed, James Jeter, Jamie Rodriguez, Charron Meredith-Scott, Britany Lobo, Julia Melbourne, Kenny Smith, and Brianna Jones.

Her siblings, Linda Brooks, Deborah Rodriguez, Johnnie Brooks Jr., Denise Chambers, Abdurrahim (Kevin) Shakir, Pamela Brooks, Malcolm Brooks, and Eric Brooks; Barbara (Juan) Artez, Danny Allen, Tassa Grant, and Joanie Allen; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, church family, friends, and all those whose lives were touched by Sissy’s love.

Sarah was preceded in transition by her beloved parents, Johnnie and Fannie Brooks, her grandparents Ruby Jean Rowell, Johnny Brooks, Chester Lee and Sarah Perry; her in-laws, Phillip Allen Sr. and Lillie Mae Grant; her children, Phillip Moye Sr. and Casey Cowan. Her nieces and nephews Melanie Willoughby, Shaquanda Allen-Griggs, Jordan Grant and Johnnie Belle. Her siblings-in-law, Rose Williams, Richard Allen Sr. Sarah Elizabeth “Sissy” Allen lived a life centered around love. Her love for God, love for her husband, love for her children, love for her family, and love for people. Her transition leaves an emptiness that words cannot fill, but the love she poured into her family cannot transition away with her. It remains in every story, every laugh, every family gathering, every lesson, every act of kindness, and every generation that carries a piece of her forward.

Sissy loved life. Sissy loved people. Sissy loved her family. And most of all, Sissy knew how to love. That love is her legacy, and that legacy will live on forever.

A celebration of Sarah’s life and legacy will be held Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. at Ebenezer Chapel, 50 Dwight Street, New Haven, followed by burial in Evergreen Cemetery. Family and friends may attend a viewing at the church from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.