James Sheldon Sawyer, age 80, of Camden, NC died on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at Peak Resources in Nags Head, NC. Born in Elizabeth City, NC on November 30, 1941 to the late Millard Kresler Sawyer and Blanche Hales Sawyer, he was married to Nancy Tarkenton Sawyer for sixty years. Mr. Sawyer worked for the Norfolk Naval Shipyard as a Planner/Estimator for 35 years. After retirement, he worked for the local Ace Hardware. He was also in charge of maintenance at Corinth Baptist Church.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, Mike Sawyer (Jean) of Camden, NC, Chris Sawyer (Blair) of Raleigh, NC and Tim Sawyer (Amanda) of Sandwich, MA; a brother, M. K. Sawyer (Dorcas) of Elizabeth City, NC; six grandchildren, Megan Hayes (Brandon), Allison Needham (Preston), Hannah Boswood, Zach Sawyer, Sydney Sawyer, and Bryce Sawyer; and six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sister, Eva Cartwright, and her husband, Butch.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 27, 2022 at Corinth Baptist Church with the Rev. Lee Johnson officiating. The family will receive visitors immediately following the service at the church and at other times at the residence of Mike Sawyer. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery. Twiford Funeral Home, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909 is serving the Sawyer family. Memorial gifts may be made to Corinth Baptist Church, 1035 US-17 South, Elizabeth City, NC 27909. Online memorial condolences may be sent to the family at www.TwifordFH.com. To plant a tree in memory of Mr. Sawyer or to send flowers to the family, please visit www.TwifordFH.com/send-flowers.
Contact Information:
Twiford Funeral Home (Elizabeth City)
405 East Church Street,
Fax: 252-335-4329
Email: J.J.Twiford@TwifordFH.com
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Andrew and Robin Satterfield, Wilmington , NC
Andrew and I are heartbroken to hear of Jimmys
passing , we had been in touch on phone calls since we moved but had not talked in a few weeks,, he was one of the dearest sweetest men we’ve ever known. We know exactly where Jimmy Sawyer is today , with his Savior because he was a true man of God which is rare ! We pray Gods comfort on you all especially Nancy . I loved working with him at the church , he was always giving us advice and offered unconditional love , we will miss him so much
Woody and Deb Witherow
Jimmy was a wonderful man. He is truly with his Lord and Savior enjoying his rest. We were blessed in knowing him. Praying for the family comfort.
Andrea Nolde
So sorry Jean for your families loss. Sending thoughts and prayers
Linda Ferrell Speight
I am so sorry about your loss. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bill and Millie Tice
What a dear, dear man. We all, at Corinth, mourn his passing. As Building and Grounds Superintendent, he was always “looking for something” that needed “fixing”. And fix it he did. So many “things” around the building that he made “more convenient” for all of us. And what a wonderful Sunday School Teacher! A precious man, whose wife prayed for him, in his early years to accept and live for Christ. All of us are eternally blessed to have known him. Absolutely one of the finest, best, God-loving men who ever walked this earth. We will see him again, some day soon. . .
Steve Schmidt
We are so sorry to hear of Jimmy’s passing. We know for sure that he is “absent from the body but present with the Lord.” I’ve lost count of the many times he came to my rescue to solve some problem at my house. He was truly selfless, always putting others first. I was impressed with the way he stepped into church leadership positions despite his quiet nature. He was serious about serving Jesus which he did in so many ways. I always enjoyed talking with him. He was a deep thinker and very wise. I look forward to seeing him again on the other side of eternity. My condolences to his precious and amazing family.
Charles Smith
Jimmy Sawyer was one of the nicest, most upstanding individuals I have known. He and I were in high school together and we, along with Jack White, Kramer Williams, and Fred Ayers shared many adventures together. Jimmy’s level-headedness and maturity kept us all out of trouble on any number of occasions. We will miss him dearly. After so many years of not being able to be his best self physically, he is finally removed from the pain and discomfort he has experienced and, if ever anyone had a front row seat reserved in Heaven, it’s Jimmy. Rest in peace and God bless you, Jimmy.
Judy Carter
So sorry to hear about your loss. Prayers for the family and friends
CINDY WOOTEN
Nancy, Millard and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you.
Curwood Harrison
Mike, and to all the rest of Jimmie’s family….your dad truly lived a Christian life. We became friends after he joined !st Baptist Church. After much encouragement he taught some to the men’s SS class that I was teaching when I left Elizabeth City. I was glad to hear that he went on to leadership positions at Corinth. This world will miss this Godly man. We need more like him. May God be a comfort to you at this time of sorrow. Know that he was loved by everyone he met.
Catherine Eason Gardner
Nancy and family, it is with great sadness to learn of the death of Jimmy. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you,
Cindy Grasty
Buddy and I are sorry to hear of Jimmy’s passing. But we rejoice that he is in the arms of Jesus now.
Fred Ayers
Jimmy was a high school classmate of mine in the class of 1960 at ECHS. I have so many fond memories. He was truly a great guy. My condolences to Nancy and the three sons and their family.
God Bless Jimmy.
Fred Ayers
Asheville
Susie Honohan
We are very sorry to hear about the passing of Mr Sawyer. He was a very kind man. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family right now.
Nikki Owens
I just wanted to extend my condolences to your family. May God be with all of you at this time!
Mike Barnett
Mike, Megan, Allison, Nancy, and family
I was sad to hear of the passing of Jimmy. I will always remember him at First Baptist and all the kindness and things he did. He always had a kind word for me. Know that your family are in my thoughts.
Mike
Sheila Strickland Glasscock
I am so sad to hear this news. I spent many hours of my childhood at his house.
Dona Yunker
Mike, Chris, and Nancy, I am so saddened to hear of the passing of Jimmy. May the memories he shared while on earth live on in your hearts. He is rejoicing in Heaven. My condolences to all, as you learn to fill this void in your lives.
bryan.white
Nancy, Mike, Chris, Tim, and family
I was sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Sawyer. He had such a great knowledge of fixing things. He was so helpful to my mom when she visited Ace Hardware. He knew every inch of that store she told me more than once. HIs talents were passed on to his three sons for sure. Thanks again Mike for helping Dad pick out the cover for the truck!
The Sawyer family is in my prayers today.
Anna and Dale Pritchett
Nancy, Mike and family Iwas sorry to hear of Jimmy’s passing. I remember him well at First Baptist. He was such a wonderful person. He will be greatly missed. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Anna and Dale Pritchett
Hal and Susan Chappell
A friend and brother in Christ that we will share Eternity with. His words were measured and wise and he always was someone you could depend on. Have missed seeing him in his spot on the pew with Nancy in the choir but know the Lord has called him to his Heavenly reward. Our hearts and love are with the Family.
Craig and dot Meshaw
Mike, Nancy, Chris, Tim, and families,
To say that this passing hurts is an understatement because I always felt a special closeness
to your family that I could not equate to most others.
As you labor thru this period of grief, please know that I too grieve with you.
Craig
Tom Croley
I am saddened to hear of Mr. Jimmy’s passing and hope you find comfort in knowing that he has earned his place in heaven. He was a friend to all and led a life of service to others. He was truly a great example of Christ’s love. I will never forget how he helped me roof my garage and later helped my mom when she needed home repairs.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Donna Turner
Dear Nancy and family,
David and I are praying for you and your family during this difficult time. Jimmy was such a nice man and we enjoyed knowing him and Nancy at church. God bless Mike and Jean and the other family members as well.
Love in Christ,
Donna and David Turner
Lynchburg, Virginia
Sharman Blevins Crain
Dear Nancy and Sawyer family, I am so sorry to hear of Mr Sawyer’s passing . My prayers and thoughts to each of you at this sad time. Embrace those memories ! in Christian love ….