James Larry “Butch” Sawyer, 77, passed away on Sunday, August 18, 2024 at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. Born in Monroe County on February 28, 1947, he was a son to George and Mary Lureen Edwards Sawyer. Butch married the former Joan Childers on February 18, 1986 and prior to his retirement, he was a self-employed painting contractor. He was drafted into the U.S. Army where he proudly served and he was a veteran of the Vietnam War. Butch was a faithful Christian and he raised his children to be faithful Christians. In the past he attended Bethel Apostolic Church but for the last five years, he and his wife attended Life Church in Tupelo. Butch had a wonderful sense of humor, and he loved vacationing in the Smoky Mountains. His hobbies included fishing, hunting, and NASCAR in which he was huge a Jeff Gordon fan. He had a great affection for his miniature Collie, Presley.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at Cleveland-Moffett Funeral Home with Rev. Stanley Blaylock and Rev. Jay Carney officiating. Burial will follow in the New Hope Cemetery.
In addition to his wife, Joan Sawyer, he is survived by three sons, Keith Sawyer (Melodie), Amory, Chris Sawyer (Angela), Amory, and Patrick Sawyer (Hannah), Gulf Shores, AL; two daughters, Christy Pierce (Tyron), Russellville, AL and Cameron Sawyer (Luke Sexton), Atlanta; three brothers, John Sawyer (Pat), Biggersville, Gary Sawyer, Amory, and Steve Sawyer (Freda), Winfield, AL; sister, Ann McKenzie (George), Tennessee; grandchildren, Kayla Roberts, Andrew Sawyer, Bethany Keel, Derrick Sawyer, Shawn Sawyer, Bailey White, Hayden Randolph, Anna-Loren Randolph, Ava-Grace Sawyer, and Winston Sawyer; and 14 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Gerald Sawyer, Jerry Sawyer, and Tommy Sawyer.
Pallbearers will be Andrew Sawyer, Son Hall, Phillip Hall, David Hunt, Samuel Sawyer, and Aaron Keel. Honorary pallbearers will be Hayden Randolph, Derrick Sawyer, Shawn Sawyer, Leslie Spann, Johnny Braxton, and Luke Sexton.
Visitation will be on Tuesday evening from 5 until 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
