BATESVILLE — Sandra J. Hughes,

at age of 85, passed away on Friday, March 1st, 2024, at Baptist Reynolds Hospice House in Collierville, Tenn.

She was born on November 24th, 1938, in Batesville, Ark., to the late Edna Mae and Boyce Nash. Sandra was a woman of strong faith and a member of the Central Avenue United Methodist Church. She began singing in the choir at age 13, and until later in life.

Sandra graduated from the Batesville High School and attended Lyon College. While in high school she met her future husband, Bill Hughes, and shared 66 devoted years together until his death in September 2023.

Sandra was a member of PEO, the Rhododendron Society, and the Audubon Society. She was known for her artistic ability through her painting and shared that gift to others all her life.

For 15 years she served as secretary of West Side Elementary. Having only one child, she always said she had 500 others. Sandra was generous, kind, talented, and just a lot of fun to be around. Sandra loved and appreciated antiques and the preservation of keeping the past for all to remember.

Survivors include her son, William Boyce Hughes and wife Debbie of Germantown, Tenn.; one brother-in-law, Bob J. Hughes and wife Carolyn of Desha, Ark.; one grandson, Davidson Justus Hughes and wife Natalie of Collierville, Tenn.; two great-grandchildren, Dawson Nash Hughes and Maddie Maria Hughes; one niece, Jessica Hess; and one grandniece, Annabelle Cooley.

Sandra was preceded in death by her husband; parents; grandparents; and her beloved Uncle Jack Wasson.

Pallbearers are John Myers, Fred Wann, Bill Olson, Bryan Ross, Rev. Jesse James and Alan Bufford. Honorary pallbearers will be Charles Barnett, Walter McSpadden, Dwight Ford, Doug Brodie and Dr. J.D. Allen.

Funeral services will begin at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9th, at Roller-Crouch Funeral Home with Rev. Roger Hook officiating, Deloris Hook handling the eulogy, and burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Batesville, Ark.

Visitation will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, March 8, 2024, at the funeral home.

Memorials can be made in Sandra’s honor to Central Avenue United Methodist Church, 1205 N. Central Avenue, Batesville, Ark. 72501, or “Old Independence Regional Museum,” located at 380 S. 9th Street, Batesville, Ark. 72501.