Betty Sawyer

KERRVILLE Betty Pauline Burrows Sawyer, 88, of Kerrville, TX, passed away Sunday, July 15, 2012 at Edgewater Care Center.

Betty was born on July 30, 1923 to William and Hazel Burrows. She attended St. Johns, Oregon public schools and graduated from high school at age 16. She was an especially skilled stenographer. Her first job was working at a Weyerhaeuser Timber Company Scale House.

In 1942, during World War II, she married her loving husband of almost 70 years, James Tom Ernest Sawyer. They were blessed with two sons: Thomas James Sawyer of Harpers Ferry, WV, and Dean Allen Sawyer of Kerrville, TX. Betty enjoyed camping, fishing and gardening while living in Portland. She was an excellent cook and homemaker and crocheted, knitted and did needlepoint until her eyesight declined. She created many projects cherished especially by her family. She also loved playing their organ and traveling to Reno to play the slot machines. She cared deeply about her family and friends. Betty always was very vocal about her opinion and believed in equal treatment for all people. In 1967 she and her husband moved to Newport, Oregon to open a donut shop, and while there, she also became a police dispatcher. In 1969 they returned to Portland where they lived until retirement. In 1996, Tom and Betty moved to Kerrville to be closer to family.

Preceding Betty in death were her parents and her brother, Rex Burrows.

Surviving Betty are her husband, James Tom Earnest Sawyer, her son, Tom Sawyer and wife, Janette, and her son, Dean Sawyer and wife, Beth. Also surviving is her sister, Jean Davis of Hemet, CA, and sistersinlaw, Ruth Haley of McGehee, AR and Bennie McCloy and husband, Melvin, of Eldorado, AR. Surviving grandchildren are Richard Sawyer and wife, Peggy, of Las Vegas, NV, Kari Lomprey and husband, Jeff, of Henderson, NV, James Jim Sawyer of Escondido, CA, Amy Fleming and husband, Mark, of Cartersville, GA, and Valerie West and husband, Dan, of Minden, LA. She has 11 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Also surviving Betty is her friend, Veda Fricke of Kinsley, KS.

In lieu of floral tributes, contributions to Peterson Hospice or the charity of ones choice would be appreciated by the Sawyer Family.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Kerrville Funeral Home 8308955111

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