Charles Edward Sawyer was born July 21,1949 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He was the third of four children born to Elizabeth Sawyer and father Johnnie Caldwell. Charles was baptized at an early age and accepted God as his Lord and Savior.
Charles was educated in the Forsyth County School District in North Carolina. In 1968, Charles graduated from Atkins High School in Winston Salem, North Carolina. After graduating from high school, Charles joined the United States Air Force in January 1969. He served four years in the military, including a tour of duty in Vietnam and received an honorable discharge in 1973. He continued his education after his military duty by attending Community College in Las Vegas, earning his degree in Criminal Justice. In 1981, Charles pledged and became a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.
Charles married twice during his lifetime. His first wife was JoAnn McMillian, and from that marriage they were blessed with a son, Darryl Sawyer of Winston Salem, North
On April 4, 1982, Charles married Deloris Gertrude (Williams) Sawyer whom he happily spent the next 38 years with.
Charles lovingly raised his daughter, Ameika Coleman-Lofton in Las Vegas, Nevada while continuing to support the growth and strengthening of his son Darryl Sawyer in North Carolina. Charles was blessed to witness the growth of his son and daughter as they became professionals, married and provided him with three grandsons, a granddaughter and a great granddaughter.
Charles contributed to the community of Las Vegas while working for the Economic Opportunity Board as a counselor by starting the first Cub Scout unit in West Las Vegas in 1976.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents Elizabeth Sawyer and Johnnie Caldwell, and brother, Tommy Sawyer; Aunt and Uncle, Dorothy and Willie Murray; and their sons Thaddeus and Oliver Wilson; and his cousins Leon and Jerome Smith of Winston-Salem, NC.
Charles leaves to mourn his passing and praise his homegoing, his doting wife and companion Deloris, son, Darryl Sawyer and grandson, Darryl Sawyer, Jr., of Camp Lejeune (currently in USMC), Imani Sawyer -granddaughter and great granddaughter, Sage- Charlotte, North Carolina; Daughter, Ameika Ayana Coleman-Lofton; grandsons-Kamaren Lofton currently in US Army and Khristian Lofton of Tempe, Arizona; Sisters Willette Sawyer and nephew Michael Sawyer; Sister Priscilla Kendall (Bernard) and niece, Katrice Kendall; Kimberly and Kendra Sawyer (nieces) of Winston Salem, North Carolina; Cousin Brenda Smith and her son Leon Denard (Chevelle) Smith Jr. and his children; Cousins Marlene Wilson, Tazz Wilson(Tamera Burton-Wilson) and their sons Brendon and Jonathan; Thaddeus and Annette Wilson and their children. Eric, Keven and Jason Wilson. Marcus (Tina) Wilson –Salem, North Carolina ; Barbara Williams of Texas). Winston Salem, North Carolina; Beverly Bradshaw and Alexis Kapp Winston - Salem, North Carolina. Sister-in-laws and brother–in law, Mary Luke (Riley) of Las Vegas, Nevada; Annie Walker of Las Vegas, Nevada; Shirlee Abdulhafiz of Chandler, Arizona.
As well as the following nieces, nephews, great and great/great nieces and nephews and cousins: Jamal F. Allen and his children Daniel Miles, Asia and Zoey Allen of Tempe, Arizona, Danita Dailey-Adams (Clarence), and their children Tyler Adams, Kenisha Williams and James Tyson Moore, and his children, Jhailen, Jamyzja, James Tyson, Jr. of Las Vegas, Tyrease, JeRina, Londen Williams of San Bernardino, California; Bretani Solomon, her daughter Zyhan Murphy of Las Vegas, Nevada; and LaDawn Solomon and her sons Michael Dean Finley and Antwine Dozier of Las Vegas; Allen Kirk Williams and his children, Tanesha McQueen and son Miles of Las Vegas; Maurice Williams and his children Jeremiah, Jusiah and Keshawn of Tacoma Washington; Tiona Williams and children Destiny; Honesty; Luis and Serenity of Forest, Mississippi; Ashley Williams and children KaMijhay and Komarion Derrick of Las Vegas, Nevada and Nyesha Williams of Las Vegas; Aaron, Autumn, Jason, Justin of Lynwood, California; Teresa Walker and her daughter Ashley Rivera of Las Vegas, Nevada; Torri Walker and her children Sam Berry IV and Nicole Martin and her children Elliana, Jadyn, Thomas Martin III of Las Vegas, Nevada; Adrien aka Toni Walker of Las Vegas, Nevada; Rhonda and Greg Morrow of San Diego, California; Tosca Line and son Joshua Line of Temecula, California; Pamela Mahoney and her sons Austin and Hunter Mahoney of Oceanside, California; Eric Flemings and his son Naphtalin Flemings of Las Vegas, Nevada; Theresa Flemings and her son Alonzo, Jr., Christy Harris of Paris, California; Peyton Carter of Las Vegas, Nevada and Nathaniel Carter, Jr. Rodney Williams, Jamie Williams, Devinche and Gentry Williams (Charlene)
The family would also like to acknowledge the following Sistuh- friends: Linda D. Williams –Taylor, Marvette Bryant, Sheryl Kirkland, Tanisha Taylor –Jackson, Marlene Charles, Minnie Frazier, Denise Powell, Althea Mallory, Charla Carter , Taji Allen, Dora LaGrande, Paula Releford, Daria Caldwell and Kourtnie Richey as well as Charles lifelong friends: Nate Taylor, Dave(Gladys) Weatherspoon, Maurice Weatherspoon, Mike (Marilyn) Amie, Herbert (Rhonda) Amie, Russell Caldwell and Walt Jackson (Linda), Carl Lewis and Edison Carter. All who have provided support and love throughout the years to Charles. Charles always opened his home and heart to all that came by. Prior to his becoming disabled, he worked daily to create a paradise in his backyard….one that was named “Sawyer Park”. Our family and friends have had many great events at Sawyer Park! Charles loved music; especially 60’s-70’s songs, which he would sing even after his body physically gave in.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Andrea Rushin for being such a wonderful nurse aide to Charles, as well as a support system for Deloris. We would also like to extend a special thanks to Marianna Orozco for her dedicated care as his last caregiver.
Paw Paw, as your grandchildren called you…you will be missed but never forgotten….
Your quiet personality and huge smile left an endearing mark on anyone that met you.
We love you. As you sit at the right hand of God, know that we will miss you until we meet again.
