Sandra K. Hughes

Sandra Kellar Hughes, 74, of Apex, NC passed away February 20, 2021 at Transitions Life Care Raleigh, NC. She was born on February 24 ,1946 in Illinois to William and Betty (Fawcett) Kellar. Devoted wife, loving mother, who also cherished her role as grandmother. She was a child of God and a member of Apex United Methodist Church and actively involved in their Prayer Shawl ministry as well as Alliance Church’s Chemo Cap program. She attended Pensacola Junior College before becoming a stewardess for Eastern Airlines, and later graduated from Meredith College. In addition to her roles as a wife, mother and grandmother, she started a craft business named SandiCrafts sewing items for children; she started a lawn mowing business called Ms. Mowers, and she started a non-profit business at the Women’s Center enabling women to earn income from all occasion greeting cards which she marketed through Hallmark stores in the Triangle Area. She enjoyed the outdoors and exercise including YMCA Water Aerobics and walking. Often you could find her in Emerald Isle biking around the island on her yellow bike. She found solace in gardening and working in the yard. She lived life to the fullest and will be remembered as someone who always put others before herself, constantly finding ways to support and care for her friends and family. Charlie and Sandi met on the beach in Pensacola in April 1967, married in July 1967, and have been together ever since. Charlie took her home to meet his parents for the first time and his father said “You have done good.” How right he was! They celebrated 53 years together in 2020 and set an example of an ideal marriage for their children and grandchildren. She loved her family with all of her heart. She put their needs above her own and enjoyed welcoming anyone who loved her family into her home. Anyone who was friends with her children when they had open lunch during high school certainly enjoyed many lunches prepared by Sandi. She loved crafting, sewing, and knitting always having a project or craft to do with the grandchildren. She was known for her homemade sourdough bread which she made from starter that she kept alive for 50 years. Her grandchildren named it “Grammy Bread” and it was a family favorite for all who knew and loved her. You were someone special if you received Grammy Bread! She enjoyed playing cards and her family marveled at the fact that she could beat anyone in Gin but never once sorted the cards in her hand! Many fun nights were spent at the beach and at home playing the card game Hand and Foot with friends and family. She was a member of many groups of friends who celebrated birthdays, planned wedding and baby showers for each other’s children and grandchildren, and made meals for each other frequently. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. She was preceded in death by William Edward Kellar (father). She is survived by Betty Kellar (mother), Charles Hughes (husband), Larry Kellar (brother and wife Ellen), Kristen Bradshaw (daughter and husband Thomas), Charles Hughes III (son and wife Amanda), Angela Smelcer (daughter and husband Hudson), and grandchildren Hazel Hughes (granddaughter), Cranz Smelcer (grandson), Rye Hughes (granddaughter), and Elyse Smelcer (granddaughter). The family would like to extend a thank you to the caregivers at Transitions Lifecare for the care and support provided. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Transitions Lifecare (https://transitionslifecare.org/) or Apex United Methodist Church. There will be a private ceremony held on February 24th at 2:00 pm, streamed live at http://www.facebook.com/groups/sandihughes/.

Sandra K. Hughes

February 24, 1946 - February 20, 2021