Ruby Lee (Shuler) Sawyer

     Ruby Lee Sawyer, 94 of the Mill Creek Community of Robbinsville, NC went home to be with her Heavenly Father, Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at Graham Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.

     She was a native of Graham County and the daughter of the late John F. and Julia Orr Shuler.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Sawyer, sons, Stevie Sawyer, Gary Sawyer, Wayne Sawyer Jr. and her granddaughter Leela Gail Sawyer.  She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Carl Shuler, Dillard Shuler, Delmas Shuler, J.J. Shuler and sisters, Elouise Shuler, Geneieve Shuler, Ethel Jordan, Doshia Cook, Nora Belle Walters, Madeline Crisp, Louise Smallwood, and Ruth Smith.

     God Blessed Ruby lee by allowing her to live for 94 years.  She had been in a nursing home for the last 6 years because she had not been able to walk.  However, because of her sweet spirit she was always smiling and uplifting while talking about God in spite of her declining health.

     Al of her children was raised in Detroit, Michigan.  One son named Stevie had a brain disorder and cerebral palsy.  The state of Michigan wanted to put Stevie in an institution, but Ruby Lee and her husband went to court to keep Stevie at home because his facial expressions showed he understood what was going on.  He was in and out of the hospital many times.  Often Ruby Lee was up with him all night, but she never complained.  She prayed for Stevie to be healed but accepted his disability.  God took him at age 15.

     Ruby Lee touched so many lives with her love, her patience, and her compassion.  She constantly prayed for all of her family and her loved ones.  Her deepest desire was for all of them to be saved.  This Christmas God wanted her to be in heaven with all of those friends and family who had already passed away.  Melissa Sawyer, who was married to her son Wayne Jr., has always been there all these years to help Ruby Lee in any way she could, and all of her children thank God for her help.

     She is survived by her daughter, Gail Kish (Rich) of Michigan; sons, Terry Sawyer (Sue) of New Mexico, Tim Sawyer of Robbinsville, NC; daughter in law Melissa Sawyer of Robbinsville, NC and numerous grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

     Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday, December 29, 2022, at Sweetgum Baptist Church.  The Reverend Mike Teem will officiate.  Burial will follow the service at Mountain Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 12:00 till 2:00 pm at Sweetgum Baptist prior to the service.

     Townson-Smith Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Sawyer Family.