Joan Brooks Sawyer

Joan Brooks Sawyer of Abbeville passed away Friday, April 16, 2010 at the Saluda Nursing Center after courageously fighting a long illness. Born and raised in Winnsboro, SC she was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Alexis Brooks and Marion Center Brooks of Fairfield County. Surviving Mrs. Sawyer is her husband of 59 years, William "Buz" Black Sawyer; three children, Alexis Sawyer Nash and husband Ken of Gastonia, NC, Marion Lee Verma and husband Shyan of Columbia, SC and Lois Angela S. Bryant of Abbeville; three grandchildren, Joshua Lamar Bryant, Lauren Bryant Hudson and Andrew Verma and two great-grandchildren, William and Jada Hudson. Joan graduated from Winthrop College in 1951 with a BS in Music Education and taught school in Columbia, SC while her husband was serving our country in Korea. While her three daughters were young, she was a mother and homemaker. She later earned her teaching certificate in elementary education from Lander University. She taught at Westside Christian School in Abbeville and retired from the John de la Howe School where she taught and led the children's music program. Joan was a member of Abbeville First Baptist Church where she was a faithful choir member, a member of the Adult II Sunday School Class and the Cheryl Camp Circle. She was also a member of the American Bible Society. Joan was an organizing member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), John Bowie Chapter in 1987 in Abbeville and was a volunteer for the American Red Cross. Joan and "Buz" were blessed with many wonderful retirement years together enjoying traveling and golfing trips. She also enjoyed reading, playing bridge, Western Square dancing and volunteering at the Abbeville Nursing Home for their devotional and music program. The family will receive friends from 10:30AM to 11:30AM on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at Harris Funeral Home. Funeral services will begin at 2:00PM on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 in the sanctuary of the Abbeville First Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Long Cane Cemetery. The family is at the home. Memorial contributions, in memory of Mrs. Sawyer, may be sent to the Abbeville First Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 825, Abbeville, SC 29620. A message of condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com HARRIS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES is assisting the Sawyer family.