RIDGE SPRING – Graveside services for Sandra Cato Sawyer, 62, will be conducted at 3 o’clock PM Thursday at the Ridge Spring Cemetery with the Reverend Dow Welsh and Reverend Chris Yeargin officiating.  Visitation was Wednesday evening at Barr-Price Funeral Home, and the family will also receive friends following the service.  The family suggests that memorials be made to a favorite charity of one’s choice.  Barr-Price Funeral Home and Crematorium, Historic Batesburg-Leesville Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

Mrs. Sawyer died peacefully at her residence on Monday, March 19, 2012 while surrounded by her family.  Born in Columbia, she was the daughter of the late James Williams Cato and Faye Taylor Cato.  She was a member of Ridge Spring Baptist Church where on two occasions, for a total of 28 years, she served as church pianist.  She was married to C. David Sawyer, Jr. for 36 years, and because of her marriage to David, she was an honorary member of the GOMC.  Mrs. Sawyer was a graduate of Columbia College, and she earned a Master’s degree at the University of South Carolina.  She retired as an educator after teaching for 30 years in the Aiken County School System, and she later taught and retired from W. Wyman King Academy.

Surviving are her husband of Ridge Spring; daughters, Becky (Dray) Wannamaker, Bonnie (Zach) Matthews, Beth Ann Sawyer (Kirk Holmes); grandchildren, McKenzie Faye and Drayton Sawyer Wannamaker, and Lillian Claire Matthews.

Active pallbearers are Steve Callaway, Clark DuBose, Tommy DuBose, Jimmy Marranci, Pete Nuessle, Earle Powell, Tom Sawyer, and Kevin Yon. Honorary pallbearers are Libby Bostian, Jean Callaway, Debbie Collum, Mary Derrick, Elaine DuBose, Sandra DuBose, Mary Edmonds, Ann Holstein, Debra Marranci, Barbara Nuessle, Machelle Powell, and Debbie Sawyer. Also serving as Honorary pallbearers are all current and former members of the Ridge Spring Baptist Church choir, along with members of the Ridge Spring Coffee Club.

The family expresses their special appreciation to Lana Jackson, M.D.; Paul Bilodeau, M.D.; Belinda T. Rikard, R.N.; Debra Marranci, R.N.; the staff at the Medical College of Georgia; the staff at Banks Drug; Ella Ree Wigfall and Ann Hite for the professional care, love, and attention they provided to Mrs. Sawyer.