Mrs. Lois E. Sawyer, age 91, a resident of Willows Ct., Washington, NC passed away Friday, July 19, 2013 at her residence after a brief illness. A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, July 22, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church of Washington, with Rev. Danny Allen officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the church parlor and other times at the home of Marsha and Bill Bowes, South Wind Drive of Washington. A private interment will be held at a later date.

Mrs. Sawyer was born on August 8, 1921 in West Orange, NJ, daughter of the late Alfred Jacob Ensminger and Mabel Dunkelberger. She was married to Mr. Leland Glenn Sawyer on April 9, 1952, who preceded her in death. Mrs. Sawyer received a Bachelor of Science Degree at Montclair State University and a Masters Degree, in Education at the University of Michigan. In 1985, Lois and Leland relocated to Washington, NC from Asheville, NC.  She is a retired school teacher, piano teacher, Hallmark Card Store manager and hospital volunteer. Mrs. Sawyer was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Washington, where she had been an active member of the Chancel Choir, Chancel Bell Choir and Circle of Hope. She was also an avid bridge player.

Survivors include her daughter, Marsha Bowes and husband, Bill of Washington; son, Jonathan Lee Sawyer and wife, Jennifer of Greensboro; a sister, Helene Amweg;  five grandchildren, Randy Rice, Rick Rice, Dawn Sapp, Jeff Bowes, and Missy Woolard and eight great-grandchildren, Andrew Rice, Michael Rice, Joseph, Olivia, and Abigail Sapp, Kathryn and Brooklyn Bowes, and Evan Woolard.

Along with her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by one brother, A.J. Ensminger, Jr.

The family wishes to thank her loving caretakers:  Denise, Ruth, Ola, Sherry, Vanessa, Sylvia and the staff of Ascera Care Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be to made to the First United Methodist Church, 304 W 2nd Street, Washington, NC  27889.

You may share a memory with the family by visiting www.hillsidefuneralservice.com

Hillside Funeral Service & Cremations, 4500 Hwy 264 E, Washington, NC has been given the honor of being entrusted with serving the Sawyer family.