Sarah Jo Allen Chenault, 92, of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away suddenly yet peacefully at her home on Monday, May 18, 2026. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, and a child of God whose life was marked by faith, devotion, and incredible kindness. She shared her sweet spirit of kindness with all who knew her and all who met her, and her memory will remain a treasured blessing to her family and friends.
Jo was born on March 15, 1934, in Somerville, Alabama, to the late Howard F. Allen and Opal R. Lemley Allen. Jo grew up in Somerville as an only child and shared a special bond with her father, “Jabo,” who instilled in her a lifelong love for animals. Birds and dogs were always part of her life, and she lovingly cared for them into her later years.
Jo tragically lost her mother in 1943 when she was only 8 years old, a wound she carried in her heart for the rest of her life. Her father later remarried Ruth Billings Allen, and Jo continued to grow up with the values of hard work, family, and faith that would guide her throughout her life.
On April 25, 1954, Jo married the love of her life, Bill F. Chenault, in Iuka, Mississippi. They remained happily married for nearly 63 years until his passing on March 12, 2017. Their love for one another was deep and enduring, and Jo missed him greatly during the nine years they were apart.
Together, Jo and Bill created a home where love, kindness, and hospitality were shared freely with everyone who entered. Within that loving home, they were blessed with three daughters: Marquetta, who passed away at birth in 1958, Bronwyn, and Anna. Jo deeply cherished her role as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and she became like a mother to many children throughout her community. Her home was always filled with warmth, and the sounds of children laughing and playing throughout the neighborhood brought her great joy.
Her faith in Jesus Christ was the foundation of Jo’s life. She was baptized and remained steadfast in her Christian walk throughout the years. She was a faithful member of Cornerstone Community Church, where she attended regularly for many years, including the day before her passing.
Jo patiently and faithfully awaited the day God would call her home and reunite her with those she loved. Her family finds comfort in imagining the indescribable joy she experienced upon reuniting with her mother, whom she lost 83 years ago; her infant daughter, whom she lost 67 years ago; her beloved Bill after nine years apart; and many others she loved dearly.
Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Bill F. Chenault; her parents, Howard Frederick Allen and Opal R. Lemley Allen; her stepmother, Alma Ruth Billings Allen; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Alfred Wesley Chenault and Ollie Mae Williams Chenault; and her infant daughter, Marquetta Chenault.
She is survived by her two daughters, Bronwyn Ann Chenault Brown and husband, Charles Steven Brown, of Huntsville, and Anna Lane Chenault Sexton and husband, Jeffrey Dale Sexton, of Huntsville; five grandchildren: Stephen Tyler Brown (Leela Pahl), Brittany Sexton Leach, Jessica Sexton Helsley (Ryan), William Blake Brown (Sara Larson), and Sarah Hayley Sexton; eight great-grandchildren: Lyla, Adeline, Gwen, Harlow, Baker, Layne, Millie, and Maeve; and one sister-in-law, Betty Bunch of Decatur.
Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at Peck Funeral Home, with Pastor Michael Lightfoot officiating. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Sunday prior to the service at Peck Funeral Home, 1600 Highway 31 SW, Hartselle, AL. Burial will follow at Center Springs Methodist Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jo’s name to Huntsville Meals on Wheels at: https://seniorview.com/services/meals-on-wheels/
