In Loving Memory of Nikkia Annette Sawyer Nikkia Annette Sawyer was born in Syracuse, New York. She was the third child born to Deacons Charles and Juanita Sawyer on December 6, 1983. Nikkia attended Klein Elementary School and graduated from Harbor Creek High School in 2001 with honors. As a high school student, she was involved in student government, sang in Vocal Ensemble and played on the Varsity basketball team. She performed in several high school theatrical productions and was a member of Footlights Theater Company. Nikkia was also chosen as student choice speaker at her high school graduation. She was a winner of the Walking in Black History essay, Martin Luther King essay contest, and was on Executive Council for YMCA Black Achievers, in Erie, Pa. Nikkia volunteered at Sarah Reed Retirement Center and UPMC Hamot Surgical Center. Nikkia is a 2005 graduate of Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia, where she graduated with Honors with a Bachelor of Science degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology. At Hampton she was a student government senator her first year, sang in the Gospel Choir-His Chosen Sounds, and a Hampton Lady Pirate basketball manager. Nikkia is a member of Greater Calvary Full Gospel Baptist Church in Erie, Pa. As a child, she was a part of the Children's choir, Gospel Chorus, Mass choir, Usher ministry, Mime ministry, Praise Team and Daughters of Ruth. Nikkia did postgraduate research internships at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Oncology, under Dr. Daniel Johnson and Dr. Michelle Miranda, Student Medical Education Program at the University of Washington, at Seattle, Medical School. She also had summer internship at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., and University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Her ambition was to be a physician or a Bioethicist. In addition to her mother and father, she leaves to cherish her memory a sister, Jamilah Yvette Sawyer of Virginia, a sister Dr. Shayla Sawyer Armand (Christopher) of Albany, N.Y., and grandmother Francis Sawyer of Buffalo, N.Y., step-grandmother Geraldine Sawyer of Pittston, Pa., Uncle Marvin Sawyer (Dorothy) of Reistertown, Md., Chaplain Timothy Sawyer (Karen) of Pittston, Pa., Aunts Carolyn Slaughter and Marsha Jones of Buffalo, N.Y., Uncle Byron Jones of Rochester, N.Y., and several cousins and friends. Friends may visit with the family on Friday, June 24th from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, June 25th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed by a funeral service conducted by Bishop Jesse N. Gavin. Funeralization by Law Funeral Home, 2926 Pine Avenue.
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Published in the Erie Times-News on June 24, 2011
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