Sandra Kay Blythe

Sandra Kay Kennedy Blythe, age 81, passed away at home on Thursday evening, October 31, 2024. Born on April 20, 1943 in Duplin County, NC she was the daughter of the late Samuel Robert Kennedy and Mary Lee Thomas Kennedy and wife of the late James “Jimmy” Rountree Blythe.

Sandra grew up in Beulaville as the daughter of a preacher. She came to know God through Jesus Christ at an early age and was faithful to Him throughout her life. As an adult, she was active in the church as a teacher and choir member at Calvary Baptist in Winston-Salem and most recently was a member at Northwest Community Church. Her love for God was most evident in her willingness to share with people. God blessed Sandra with a humble, generous spirit and ability to see the best in people. She was always there to lend a helping hand to others whether that included opening her home to those who needed a temporary landing spot, providing monetary resources, or offering an understanding ear or shoulder to lean on.

Following a move to Greenville, Sandra spent her high school years at JH Rose where she developed a love for foreign languages, learning Spanish, Latin, and French. She graduated from East Carolina University in 1963 and began teaching in Duplin County. She spent a majority of her career at West Forsyth High School in Clemmons and the latter years of her career at Green Hope High School in Cary.

After retiring, Sandra continued her passion for teaching Spanish by leading various homeschool classes in the Triangle area, tutoring students, and teaching adults learning English as a second language. Her creative, fun-loving personality was evidenced in her teaching by the fact she often crafted witty songs that helped her students learn Spanish vocabulary and verb conjugations. Some of her students still remember those songs many years later. Her God-given gift and enthusiasm for education throughout the years was clear to all she came into contact with and even inspired several of her students to pursue careers in teaching.

Sandra also had a deep love for her family. She and Jimmy married in 1966. She loved and cared for Jimmy for 54 years, parented, supported and encouraged Sandy, and embraced Mark as her own son. She took no greater pride in life than being Nana to Andrew and Maralee. While she gently reminded them of her wisdom with her slogan of “Nana Knows,” it was her child-like silliness and humor that had a greater influence and has left them with many fond memories of the good times with their Nana.

Throughout the years, Sandra doted on her dogs, particularly basset hounds, and even taught one to “sing.” Sandra was an avid Tar Heel basketball fan. She enjoyed the thrill of victory, avoided the news following bitter losses, and would tell anyone who would listen about the time Michael Jordan kissed her on the cheek.

She is lovingly remembered by her daughter Sandy Joyner and husband Mark Joyner, of Cary; grandchildren Andrew Joyner of Hanover, Maryland and Maralee Joyner of Cary; and siblings Brenda Lewis of Morehead City, Stephen Kennedy and wife Dora Kennedy of New Bern, and sister-in-law Ruby Kennedy of Farmville.

Including her parents and husband, Sandra was also preceded in death by her brother, Samuel Reed Kennedy of Farmville; her sister, Jessie Lee Kennedy of Greenville and brother-in-law, Edward Lewis of Morehead City.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 2 pm in the Chapel of Apex Funeral Home. Family will receive friends during the reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of Sandra to Transitions LifeCare in Raleigh, NC (www.transitionslifecare.org).

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