Shirley Mae Johnson Sawyers

Mrs. Shirley Mae Johnson Sawyers, 75, of King, passed away Thursday afternoon, September 20, 2012, at Priddy Manor Assisted Living in King. Mrs. Sawyers was born October 3, 1936, in Surry County, the daughter of the late Ules and Callie Venable Johnson. Shirley worked in several textile mills, including Oakdale Knitting Company, Spencer's Inc., and Renfro Corporation, for many years. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Joanne Sawyers of King, James Sawyers of Rural Hall, and Diane Jessup Sawyers of Dobson; five grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Sawyers was preceded in death by her husband, Elbert "Zeb" Sawyers; a son, Tony Gray Sawyers; five sisters, Ethel Sawyers, Vena Bennett, Lena Ray Semones, Mary Lou Holyfield, and Thelma Holyfield; and two brothers, Gilmer Johnson and Claude Johnson. The funeral service will be held Sunday, September 23, 2012, at 2:00 PM at Bryant Chapel Baptist Church, with the Rev. Larry Crouse and the Rev. Gary Sawyers officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy, where her body will remain until carried to the church to lie-in-state 30 minutes prior to the funeral service. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Priddy Manor Assisted Living and the staff of Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care for the loving and compassionate care they provided. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030.