Ila Jean (Sawyer) Barfield

Ila Jean Barfield, 83, of Robbinsville, NC, passed away early Sunday, March 25, 2018 at Graham Healthcare and Rehabilitation.

          A native of Graham County, she was the daughter of the late Coil and Mary Turpin Sawyer.

          She began working in the telephone industry in Charlotte when she was only 18 years.  She enjoyed a career which took her to California, where she lived for many years.  After working for more than 35 years, she retired and returned to her beloved mountains and her hometown of Robbinsville, NC, where she enjoyed music and buck-dancing.  She volunteered in planning local holiday celebrations and loved spending time travelling around the world with her family.

          She is survived by her sons, Robert Wade Barfield of Elfrida, AZ, Roger Alan Barfield of Dillon, SC, Ronald Lee Barfield of Phuket, Thailand, and Richard Lane Barfield of Greensboro, NC; her sisters, Irene Eller, Media Griggs, and Opal Riddle, all of Robbinsville, NC, Olean Williams of Alabama, and Karen Godfrey of Gaffney, SC.  She has six grandchildren, Maria Hermes, Cameron Scott Barfield, Michael Barfield, Jessica Leigh Kress, Bradley Long and Brittney Long, and 7 great grandchildren.

          Graveside services will be held on Friday, March 30, 2018 at 2:00 pm at Lower Sawyers Creek Cemetery.  Reverend Max Turpin will officiate.

          Townson-Smith Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Barfield family.  An online register is available at www.townson-smithfuneralhome.com.