Rachel Elaine Slate Sawyers

Mrs. Rachel Elaine Slate Sawyers, 64, of 140 Copper Spring Trail, Mount Airy, passed away Thursday morning, June 17, 2010, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother of five "precious grandchildren." She was born April 21, 1946, in Surry County, to Maggie Elizabeth Callahan Slate and the late Ernest Willie Slate. She worked for Dr. Eric Jarrell for 22½ years and retired from the Surry County Health Department with 8 years of service. Mrs. Sawyers was a very active and faithful member of Flippin Memorial Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Jack Sawyers of the home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Scott and Amy S. Sawyers of Mount Airy and Eric and Amy B. Sawyers of Ararat, VA; her "precious grandchildren," Will Sawyers, Devin Sawyers, Sam Sawyers, Carson Sawyers, and Josh Frye; her mother, Maggie Elizabeth Callahan Slate of Mount Airy; and a brother and three sisters-in-law, Joe Bill and Kathy Slate and Opal Slate, all of Mount Airy, and Jo Slate of Ararat, VA. In addition to her father, Mrs. Sawyers was preceded in death by a sister, Naomi Slate; and three brothers, Jimmy Lee Slate, Gary Slate, and Larry Slate. The funeral service will be held Saturday, June 19, 2010, at 11:00 AM at Flippin Memorial Baptist Church, with the Rev. Tim Burton officiating. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Flippin Memorial Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Fannie Burkhart, 2337 McBride Road, Mount Airy, NC 27030.