Sandra Jean Hughes

Sandra Jean Hughes, affectionately known as Jeannie, and or Mimi by her family and friends, passed away peacefully, on October 23,2023 in Gilbert, AZ. At the time of her passing, she was surrounded by her family and lots, and lots of love.

 

Jeannie was born on May 9th, 1943, in Cheyenne Wyoming, to Elvin "Mike" Stringer, and Wilma Stringer. The family later moved to Newton Iowa, where she graduated from Newton High School.

 

It was in 1964 at an LPA (Little People of America) convention, that she met the love of her life, Clarence Hughes. They married 6 weeks later after she received her engagement ring, he sent her via the mail. They lived in Texas and California briefly, but eventually returned to Arizona and had a daughter in 1966. They settled in Tempe where she worked at Smitty's corporate office in Phoenix for 23 years, where she did Inventory control. She enjoyed listening to country music and dancing. Clarence and Jeannie remained married for 55 years, until Clarence's passing in 2016. 

 

The most important thing to Jeannie was family. Through the years, she enjoyed being a mother, a grandmother and later, a great grandmother to her great grandchildren. She loved spending time with them and watching them grow. She was loved by anyone who met her. She always remembered everyone's birthday and was known to always send you a birthday card.  Jeannie "Mimi" will be dearly missed and always remembered.

 

Jeannie was predeceased by her father, Elvin "Mike" Stringer, her mother, Wilma Stringer (Cooper), Sister Sue (Patterson), husband Clarence, and Great-granddaughter, Tennleigh (Downs).  She is survived by daughter Peggy Sue (Downs), Son in Law Terry Downs, her sister Peggy (Guthrie), 3 grandchildren- Mathew (Melanie), Ashley (Sean Kolve), Joshua (Delaney), and 6 great Grandchildren, Carli (Kolve), Eleanor (Kolve), Rhett (Downs), Memphis (Downs), Ollie (Kolve) and Lydia (Downs).

 

Her family will be having a celebration of her life at the home of her daughter on Saturday, November 18th, 2023. Please reach out to her for details.

 

Peggy Sue