Sheri Blackwood Allen

Born in St. Louis, Missouri on September 11, 1969, to Bill and Bonnie Blackwood, Sheri grew up in several cities around the United States before moving to Bogalusa, Louisiana, where she graduated high school. She went on to attend Louisiana State University beginning in 1987, and earned her degree in journalism in December 1991.

Soon after graduation, Sheri decided to pursue a career in teaching, which became her life’s work — and her constant passion. She later earned her master’s degree in education.

In Baton Rouge, where she lived for much of her life, she taught elementary and middle school aged children. Most recently teaching religion to middle-school students at St. Jude the Apostle School.

Sheri taught at several schools in the area, including Country Day School, Runnels and St. Jude the Apostle School. Beyond the classroom, she often tutored students of all ages and she was always ready for an impromptu discussion with parents and children alike about learning, current studies and long-range academic interests.

Like many teachers, she fondly recalled favorite students and their strengths and quirks, their kindnesses and their distinctive insights.

In 1994, she married Michael Allen Jr., and they made their home in Baton Rouge during their 32-year marriage. They became parents to two children, a son and a daughter.

Throughout her life, Sheri enjoyed spirited conversations about all manner of topics, happily debating and considering challenging issues and ideas alike while spiking conversations with love and signature humor. She could, and did, laugh at herself and with others; she also was reliably honest and plainspoken, letting people know where they — and she — stood.

She spoiled a steady procession of dogs in her lively home and enjoyed many simple but edifying activities: Watching a sunset or taking a walk around the yard with her husband; attending her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events and other activities; and always — always — organizing board games, card games, homemade arts and crafts, sewing, and, not least, holiday gingerbread house competitions that inevitably devolved into delightful dining room table debacles.

Throughout her life, Sheri remained devoted to her friends and family, counting loyalty as a cornerstone value. She loved the library, where she always had a book on loan or reserved; desserts and sweets of all kinds; her husband’s cooking; and bargain-hunting for clothes and other items.

Sheri endured an 11-year battle with cancer, bravely persevering through numerous treatments and surgeries while continuing to follow the joys of her life: spending time with her family, traveling, teaching and pursuing new knowledge and experiences in areas ranging from religion to rock and seashell collecting.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Bonnie Blackwood. She is survived by her father, Bill Blackwood; brother, Billy Blackwood; husband, Michael Allen Jr.; son, Jacob Allen; daughter, Audry (Allen) Barbier and her husband, Tyler Barbier; and grandsons John Tyler Barbier Jr. and Matthew Allen Jr.

The family wishes to express their appreciation for the many healthcare professionals who provided such sensitive and compassionate care throughout Sheri’s long battle. Most especially, Dr. William Varnado and his staff at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.

A funeral mass will be held at 11 am at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 9150 Highland Road, on Thursday, July 30th, 2026. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 at the church. After the service there will be a celebration of life at Mike Anderson’s, 1031 West Lee Drive.

We will miss her deeply but we will carry her love and spirit with us everywhere.