Sandy Collins Hughes

March 21, 1962 - February 14, 2012

Sandra "Sandy" Gayle Collins Hughes, age 49, and a resident of Newt Hood Road in Columbia passed away on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia, Tennessee following an extended illness.

A Funeral Service for Ms. Hughes will be held on Friday, February 17, 2012 at 2:00 PM in the chapel of Heritage Funeral Home with Russ Adcox officiating. Interment will follow in the Neapolis Cemetery. The family will visit with friends on Thursday, February 16, 2012 from 5:00 until 8:00 and then again on Friday two hours prior to the service. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family and in charge of the arrangements.

A native of Columbia, Tennessee, she was the daughter of the late Luther Richard Collins, Sr. and the late Helen (Hood) Collins. She was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith. She attended Columbia State Community College. In her younger days, she was very adventurous and was a "Tom Boy". If there was anything going on that was daring, you could count her in. She met John, her best friend and significant other, twenty five years ago and they have been together ever since. She loved her family, and also loved all of God's creations. She has a special place in her heart for animals; horses and dogs in particular. Her dogs, Harley and Miss C were part of the family. She thoroughly enjoyed nature, flowers and the outdoors. Her family fondly recalled how she was a wild driver when it snowed. Although she had a lot of suffering in her life, she lived her life to the fullest. This wonderful woman will greatly be missed by all who knew and loved her.

In addition to John Lee Braswell, Sr., she left behind to cherish her memory a step-daughter, Christy Elder of AL, two step-sons: Johnny (Jessie) Braswell, Jr. and George (Katarzyna) Braswell both of AL; a brother Ricky (Lorrie) Collins of Columbia, TN; two sisters: Betty Jean (Billy DeWayne) Martin and Shirley (Jim) Hayden both of Columbia, TN; nine nieces and nephews: Guy Fogg, Sherry Fogg Arnold, Tammy Brooks Cartwright, Katrina Jo Brooks, Dustin Eells, Lil Rick Collins, Miranda Collins, Charity Collins, Daniel Collins and Lil John Collins, Jr.; and several great nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers: Robert Lee (Buddy) Collins and John D. Collins.

Her nephews will serve as pallbearers.

Honorary Pallbearers will include: Linda Davis, Brittany Dale, Julie, Shelia Matthews, along with the Doctors and nursing staff of MRMC and Middle TN Home Health Care.

Condolences may be sent to the family at the top of this page.