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Charles Cary Sawyer Obituary

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Charles Cary Sawyer

Chesapeake, VA

November 21, 1930 - July 9, 2020

Charles Cary Sawyer Obituary

Charles Cary Sawyer, 89, passed away Thursday, July 9, 2020. He was born in South Norfolk to the late Charles B. and Helen Biddle Sawyer. He was also predeceased by his beloved wife of 58 years, Martha Phifer Sawyer; and brother, Albert Sawyer. Left to cherish his memory are his children, Roxanne Staples (Burnie), Cary Sawyer (Daphne), and Rodney Sawyer (Diane); grandchildren, Katie Lamont (Greg), Nevan, Kasey, and Cameron Sawyer, and Rob Staples (Michelle); great-grandchildren, Jake, Joshua, Caleb, Paul, Rylan, and Grayson; sisters, Joyce Journee, Gayle Sawyer, and Shirley Bowers; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends. Charlie graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, where he played on the football team that won the 1947 state football championship. He then served in the United States Army during the Korean War era. Upon his return to the States, he attended Old Dominion/William and Mary College to study drafting, building on artistic talent he always possessed. He enjoyed a thirty-five year career at Virginia Chemicals as a yard foreman. He had life-long interests in fishing, hunting, and vegetable gardening, and was famous for the impressive height of his sunflowers. Charlie was a devoted volunteer with Olive Branch Little League, coaching teams throughout his sons’ years of involvement, and remained a faithful fan, attending games long after his own children aged out of playing. After raising their family in Portsmouth, he and Martha moved to their favorite vacation destination in Nags Head. They relocated in their final years to Chesapeake to be near their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was always up for a visit with his family Among his favorite activities were meeting his friends regularly at Hardees for breakfast, spending time with his brother, Albert, and fishing wherever there was water to sit by. For those who feel comfortable gathering, a graveside service to celebrate his life will be held Friday, July 17, 2020 at 10am in Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk. Please visit www.grahamfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family Thank you, to every person who has sent us kind, loving words since our dad passed away last Thursday. Your prayers and sweet memories have touched each one of us. We were just told by the cemetery staff that the service on Friday morning must be limited to family only, due to heightened COVID restrictions. Apparently even though it’s outside, it’s a small enough area to make social distancing not possible and we must stay below 50. We wanted to let as many people as possible know to prevent anyone coming out and being unable to join us. There are services starting each hour in that location. Your support of us this week has been amazing! Know that we love you and treasure your friendship. 💙

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Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Charles Cary Sawyer.