Sandra Allen

Sandra Smith Allen, wife of Judge H. Scott Allen, died at home, surrounded by the family, on November 9, 2026.

Mrs. Allen spent her childhood in Warrenton, Georgia, moving to Augusta at age 12, and enrolling at Langford Middle School. On the first day of school, she met Jeanette Croft Holley, who became her lifelong friend when the two girls swapped pocketbooks. She later graduated from the Academy of Richmond County and attended the University of Georgia, where she was a member of Phi Mu Sorority.

Following her marriage to William Salley, she returned to Augusta, where she resided for the remainder of her life. She was proud of her affiliations with Richmond Academy and the University of Georgia and was proud to be a resident of Augusta.

For over 40 years Mrs. Allen was an interior designer in Augusta under the name "Sandra Salley Interiors," and affiliated with Design Images and Gifts at Surrey Center. It was a career she enjoyed, and she took great pleasure in creating lovely, comfortable rooms for clients in Augusta, Aiken, Sea Island, and the Highlands-Cashiers, North Carolina area. She continued working as recently as September of this year. A client recently told her husband, "There is not a room in my house that does not remind me of [Sandra] and her amazing talent and personality."

Mrs. Allen was a long-time member of Hillside Garden Club and cherished her many friends in that Club. She was a member of the Augusta Symphony Guild and the Augusta Country Club. She was a member of Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church.

She loved to entertain guests and was a talented and gracious hostess. For over 50 years she hosted a Christmas Eve open house, welcoming old friends, new friends, and complete strangers to her home.

In addition to her husband, Scott, she is survived by her children, whom she dearly loved and in whom she took great pride: son and daughter-in-law Will and Alice Salley, son and daughter-in-law John and Tara Salley, and daughter and son-in-law Anna and Tripp Wilson. She is also survived by seven beloved grandchildren: William Salley (Sallie), Maggie Salley Peacock (Chase), Salley Wilson, Thomas Wilson, John Salley, Jr., Ben Salley, and Charles Salley. In the past few years, she was also blessed with four great-grandchildren: Alice, Frances, and Anne Harvey Salley, and Arthur Hugh Peacock. She is also survived by her beloved brother, Harvey Thornton Smith of Lake Lanier, Georgia, two dear cousins, Bobbie Sigman Patrick and Ellen Sigman McBride, both of St. Simons Island, and five nephews.

Mrs. Allen was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Harvey (Annette Sigman) Smith of Augusta, and her brothers, Robert Coleman Smith and Michael Lee Smith. She was also preceded in death by her grandmother, Maggie Chamblee Sigman Nunn of Sparta, Georgia, and her great-aunt, Myrtice Jewett "Bet" Coleman (Mrs. Robert Coleman) of Warrenton, Georgia, both of whom guided and influenced their granddaughter and great-niece, each imbuing her with faith, love, talent and memories that she cherished her entire life.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church. The family will receive at home, 733 Montrose Court, on Wednesday evening from 5:00-8:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church, 2261 Walton Way, Augusta, Georgia 30904. 

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com