Sandy Hutchins

Sandra Ann Hutchins, 75, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2026, surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with cancer — a monster she faced with grace, faith, and a strength that never wavered.

Sandra was born on January 21, 1951, in Great Bend, Kansas. She spent her life moving and adapting, making a home wherever she landed. She was a devoted woman of faith and a secretary of Elm Tree Baptist Church — a place that was not just her church but her home, her heritage, and her community. She gave her gift of sign language freely and joyfully to those who needed it, had a deep love for herbology, and took great pride in her Cherokee heritage as a descendant of Elijah Hicks (1797–1856), Cherokee statesman and peacemaker.

Sandra earned her Associate of Arts degree in Sociology from Taft Community College and her Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where she was inducted into Pi Gamma Mu, Alpha Kappa Delta, and Rho Theta Sigma. She and her husband also served at the Boys Ranch in Texas, a reflection of a life lived in service to others.

Sandra is survived by her beloved husband, Jess Hutchins; her children Travis Headrick (wife Amy), Para LaRussa (husband Dean), Joseph Headrick (wife Tiffany), Jess Hutchins the 2nd, and Donna Miller (husband Mark); her grandchildren Cody and Corey Headrick, Britney Headrick, Emily and Jordin LaRussa, Josslyn and Jaxon Headrick, Victor and Isis Edwards, and Gabriella Miller; and her brothers Robert Stibor and Fred Stibor.

She chose quality of life over quantity and met the end of her journey with grace, faith, and the people she loved most by her side.

She will be missed every single day.