Sally Dawn Allison

Sally Dawn Allison, age 66, of Galveston, Texas, passed away on January 30, 2026, in Webster, Texas. Born in Freer, Texas, Sally was a lifelong Texan through and through. She loved the heat, the humidity, and especially a Texas beach. While others complained about the sun and hid under umbrellas, Sally embraced it—often emerging after a single day outdoors a completely different color, proudly proving that sunscreen was optional and tanning was a skill not everyone possessed. Above all else, Sally was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and sister. She was many things: Endlessly forgiving, deeply helpful, unapologetically nosy, and famously convinced she was always right. She never held a grudge, forgave easily, and truly believed it was her duty to know everyone’s business so she could help fix it. Staying up to date on everyone’s lives was practically a full-time job—the unofficial family news correspondent—and she took it very seriously. She knew everything and, according to her, was never wrong. Ever. A committed germaphobe, Sally somehow balanced disinfecting everything in sight while still loving to host family gatherings. She thrived when everyone came together, preferably under her roof, and did things the right way (her way!). Her daughter was the light of her life—until her grandchildren arrived and stole the spotlight completely. Peyton and Garrett became her whole world. She spent countless hours making memories with them, making sure they always knew exactly how loved they were. Sally is survived by her loving husband, James Edward Allison Jr.; her daughter and son-in-law, Ashley and Wade Dunham; her children by marriage, Amy and Todd Allison; her adored grandchildren, Peyton and Garrett Dunham; her grandchildren by marriage, Shannon and Katelynn Allison; her mother, Betty Josephine Duncan; and her sister, Deborah Gayle Jeffords. She was preceded in death by her father, James Lawrence Small Jr., and her brother, Thomas Patrick Small—who no doubt heard, upon her arrival, exactly how things were going to be done. A Celebration of Life will be held sometime this summer at the beach—because anywhere else just wouldn’t be right. In accordance with her wishes, her ashes will be spread in the Gulf she loved so dearly, where the sun is hot, the sand is warm, and she can keep an eye on everyone just a little longer. Sally’s presence was unmistakable, her love unwavering, and her memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew her—and in the stories we’ll all keep telling.

Sally Dawn Allison

April 11, 1959 - January 30, 2026