James Lionel Sawyer, Sr. 87 of Elizabeth City, NC died Saturday, July 10, 2021, at his residence.
He was born July 5, 1934, in Camden, NC to the late Walter Sawyer and Desie Virginia Overton Sawyer and the widower of Ruth Herner Sawyer. He was the owner and operator of Sawyer Home Repair and Remodeling and Hall’s Creek Bait and Tackle Shop; a member and past president of the Nixonton Ruritan Club for over thirty years and a charter member and past president of the Elizabeth City Bass Masters for over forty years.
He is survived by a daughter, Lisa Marie Moeller (John) of Sorrento, FL; three sons, James L. Sawyer, Jr., and Gary Lee Sawyer (Teresa) all of Hertford, NC, and Shaun McKimens (Holly) of Chaska, MN; and three brothers, Gilbert Earl Sawyer, Elton Everett Sawyer, and Darrell Conwell Sawyer; nine grandchildren; and ten great grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by four sisters, Learolean Brickhouse, Lilliam Godwin, Audrey Herbert, and Marjorie McPherson; three brothers, Walter Eugene Sawyer, William Leon Sawyer, and Robert Edsel Sawyer; beloved companion, Joan Mercer; and a special friend Phyllis Burtcher.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, July 15, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at Twiford Memorial Chapel with the Rev. F. Joe Griffith officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the funeral home lobby. Memorial donations may be made to the Nixonton Ruritan Club, 1122 Scott Road, Elizabeth City, NC 27909. The service will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/TwifordFuneralHome.
Twiford Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is serving the Sawyer family. You may express condolences to the family by visiting www.TwifordFH.com.
To plant a tree in memory of Mr. Sawyer or send flowers to the family, please visit www.TwifordFH.com/send-flowers.