Ms. Nellie Mae Sawyer

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grand mother, sister, aunt, cousin and mostly a “Woman of Virtue” quietly closed the book and went home to our Heavenly Father on Friday November 16, 2018 at the age of 89 years. Nellie was born March 3, 1929 in Montgomery, Alabama, daughter of the Late Charlie and Mariah Thomas. Nellie married Eddie Sawyer in 1946 he preceded her in death 1985. Together they shared over 39 years of happiness and were blessed with nine children. The family moved to Saginaw, MI in 1970. Nellie accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviors at a very young age and kept the faith until her death. She was a member of the Saginaw, MI founding company of the Seventh-day Adventist faith for over 48 years. The founding company is now called the Saginaw- Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist Church. Nellie was a devoted member on the Usher/Deaconess Board and she was referred to as “Light”. She also was a member of New Morning Star Baptist Church where she served 23years as President on the Senior Usher Board. Her favorite song was “Get right church and let’s go home”. She was a woman of integrity, courage, strength, compassion, wisdom and loyalty, though there are not enough words to describe her character. Out of all roles she played for her family, she was god sent for many others as a loving and caring friend, even for some a role model. Nellie tried to help everyone and opened her home to all, no one left with an empty stomach. As we turn the pages on Nellie’s book, it would tell of our successes and disappointments we faced, our joyous times and sad times we shared. Page after page would read about how she served and loved her master! She was ever ready and willing to, give her time and talents to those in need. She was always about the “Business” and spoke what was on her mind good and bad!!!! Nellie led a life so noble, kind and true. She had her favorite saying “a heap sees, but a few knows “that’s when you better check yourself. Taking care of family was her greatest joy and she will be sadly missed. We celebrate her freedom from this mortal prison, no more pain, no more confusion, no more loneliness. She is free to go and spread her wings. The deeds left behind will live on each day. She leaves to cherish her memory one brother, John (Gloria) Thomas of Newport News, Virginia; two loving daughters, Delores Gayles and Billie Joyce Stribling; two devoted sons, Ronald and Derrick Sawyer Sr., all of Saginaw MI; 10 grandchildren, Pamela Sawyer, Archia (Otis) Jackson Jr., Michelle (Douglas) Coleman Sr, Shadanna Jackson, Ervin and Derrick Sawyer Jr, all of Saginaw, MI, Shilena Henderson of Atlanta, GA; Johnny Gayles Jr of Ann Arbor, MI; Tito McKinney of Sherman Oaks, CA; Germaine Helton of Atlanta GA; 10 great- grandchildren, LaTia Jackson of Detroit, MI; Otis Jackson III of Ypsilanti, MI; Chaerra Layton, Christian and Douglas Coleman Jr, Kemontay Smith, Arreanna, Raven, Rayvon and Trayvon Sawyer all of Saginaw, MI; a host of many other great and great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A special friend and long time neighbor Julia Harris-Humphrey of Saginaw MI. Mrs. Sawyer was preceded in depth by her husband, Eddie Sawyer, father, Charlie Thomas; mother, Mariah Thomas; five children, Eddie Mae, Charles, Bennie, Ernest and Michael Sawyer; sister, Jessie Foster; grandparents; and special friend, Helen Lane. Funeral service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist Church, 2115 Wadsworth, Saginaw, MI 48601. Pastor Steven Bramwell will officiate with interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 3210 South Washington Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48601. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48607 on Friday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Ms. Nellie Mae Sawyer

March 3, 1929 - November 16, 2018