Mary Wills Sawyer

Mary Wills Sawyer, age 98 of Knoxville, TN gained your heavenly wings and transitioned peacefully at her home on Monday, April 15, 2024.  She was born on August 2, 1925.  She was a seamstress and sewed for many years.  She was a great cook and loved to bake.  She was a devoted member of Payne Avenue Missionary Baptist Church.  She loved the Lord and believed in Jesus Christ as her foundation and strength.  She believed in the power of prayer. 

She loved and gave all that she had, and she always cared about others.  She treated others the way she wanted to be treated.  She was truly loved by many, especially by her family.  She told stories of the old days that made you laugh and smile.  She knew about the hard life as well as the good.  Her life was a testimony.  She loved her gospel music and truly enjoyed praising the Lord with one of her favorite songs “Cooling Waters” by Lee Williams.   She lived fully and fought the good fight until God called her home.

Mary was preceded in death by her loving Mother Minerva Prigmore and Father John Prigmore, devoted husband Albert Sawyer, Jr., loving son Charles Alvin (Laurice) Smith, loving daughter, Deborah S (Raymond) Byrd,  brothers, James (Berta) Prigmore, Ben Prigmore, Charles (Eugene) Prigmore, sisters, Inez (Charles) Wright, Dorothy (Thomas) Yancey McGee, nephews, Clarence Yancey, and Michael Yancey.   

She leaves to cherish her memory, loving and devoted children: daughter, Sheila D Sawyer Reed and son Billy C Williams. Her grandchildren Andrea Crouse, Tosha Williams, Toyia-Nicole Williams, Derek (Natalie) Williams, great-grandchildren, Aliani Williams and Zya Williams, nieces and nephews, Evelyn (Bill) Waters, Ronnie Yancey, Dorothy (Joe) Waterson, Tonya Upton, Sonya (Troy) Etheridge, Jeffery (Doris) Yancey, Quintin (Kelly) Prigmore, Cordelia (DD) Scott, James Prigmore, Jr., Rita Prigmore Campbell, Diane Bowman, Larry Sawyer with a host of other great-nieces and nephews, cousins, relatives, and dear friends. 

She has now passed into the arms of our Lord, we should remind ourselves that while this is only the end of her physical life on earth, it is the beginning of a new life and beautiful journey in heaven.

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