Sandra Kay Hughes Pickens, age 79, passed away peacefully with surrounding family on April 15, 2024. Sandra was born August 12, 1944, in Milan, TN to William Talmadge (W.T.) and Helen Hughes. She was educated in the Milan school system spending time in the band, playing basketball, being a majorette as well as being chosen as Miss Milan. Sandra was also selected as Miss Gibson County.

>> She attended the University of Tennessee at Martin where she pledged the Alpha Delpha Pi Sorority and where she met her future husband, Thomas "Tom" Auford Pickens, Jr, whom she married in 1964. Together they built their first home in Memphis, TN later relocating and raising 3 children in Milan, TN.

>> Sandra was an active and staple member of the Milan community. She was a lifelong member of Milan First United Methodist Church and volunteer at The Mustard Seed. She was also an active member of multiple organizations some including the Milan Junior Auxiliary, the Jaycettes (named Outstanding Woman of the Year in 1970), Milan Quarterback Club, Milan Little League, Babe Ruth League, Cub Scouts Den mother, and helped coach softball teams. She was an amateur taxi driver with hundreds of miles driving many a kid around to different dance, softball, baseball, basketball, football, piano, and voice lessons, games, and practices for many years. She loved her Milan Bulldogs and Tennessee Volunteers and over the latter years rarely missed listening to games on her old AM/FM radio.

>> Sandra was employed at her mother and father's local feed store, Milan Farm Supply Company (established in 1940), for many years. She was also a local realtor for several years finding dream homes for many, but her creative side from making and selling different things at local and regional arts and craft shows took over and soon she owned and operated, alongside her husband, Dickey's Flowers. Through flowers, she brought joy to many in Milan and surrounding areas.

>> She was preceded in death by her parents, W.T. and Helen Hughes, Aunt Marie Hughes, pseudo-like brother and sister Little Sam and Robbie Hughes, husband of 51 years Thomas "Tom" Auford Pickens, and grandson, Thomas Grant Pickens.

>> She is survived by her three children, William "Will" Thomas Pickens (Lisa) of Milan, TN, Camille Pickens Robinette (Bryan) of Salisbury, NC, and Angie Pickens Dorwin (Pat) of Sevierville, TN; five beloved grandchildren Abigail Robinette of Nashville, TN, Zachary Robinette of Wilmington, NC, Alexander Robinette of Salisbury, NC, Eli and Addison Dorwin of Sevierville, TN. She is also survived by pseudo-like children Buddy, Sammie, and Penny who fondly referred to her as Egg, several cousins and friends, as well as her loving 4-legged companion Jack-Jack.

>> Sandra persevered through life with strength and grace and was a great source of inspiration and encouragement to her friends and family. She will be greatly missed, always loved, and never forgotten. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday August 3, 2024 at the Milan Golf and Country Club 4pm-6pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests those who wish to express sympathy consider making a donation to the Dementia Society of America or to The Mustard Seed in Milan, TN.