James Sawyer

James Earl Sawyer MANTEO - Mr. James Earl "Chief" Sawyer was born Aug. 17, 1929 in Roper, N.C., to the late Mr. George Frank Sawyer and Mrs. Johnzella Jones Sawyer. He departed this earthly walk on Oct. 21, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. at The Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head, N.C. Chief was reared in a Christian home. At an early age, he joined Union Chapel Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ in Roper and upon moving to Manteo, he became a member of Free Grace Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ. There he served faithfully as an usher, a trustee, and a member of the Men's Fellowship. Chief also served as an usher at the Washington & Norfolk District Assembly. Chief attended the Washington County public schools. He was a man of few words; however, he was a kind, likable, hardworking, caring, and witty individual who loved to be around people. Chief, the gentle giant, will be missed by the generations who knew him at Owens' Motel and Restaurant during the almost half century that he worked with the Owens family. Left to cherish Chief's memory is his dearly beloved and special friend of many years, Mrs. Ludie Sykes of Manteo, N.C.; his devoted, faithful friend and guardian, Joyce Wynn Campbell and husband Earnest; his long time employers and loyal extended family members, Clara Mae and Lionel Shannon and Bobby and Sarah Owens; his nine nieces and three nephews: Loretta Sykes, Brenda Dixon, Velma Silvers, and Harvey Sawyer of Maryland; Daisy Cherry, Gladys Sykes, Sue Ella Smith of North Carolina; Wanda Spellman of Virginia; Mary Bookman, Florene Outliff and Ivan Hunt of New Jersey. He also leaves a host of great- neices, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his special aunt, Ms. Mabel W. Jones, brother, Harry Sawyer, and sisters: Hazel McCray, Adell Hunt and Louise Sawyer. The funeral will be held Wednesday, Oct. 27, at 1 p.m. at Free Grace Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ Church in Manteo. A viewing will be held at church beginning at 11 a.m. Free Grace's pastor, Carrie G. Holmes, will officiate. Interment and committal will immediately follow the service in Free Grace Church Cemetery in Manteo. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Chief's honor may be forwarded care of Gallop Funeral Services Inc., 6917 South Croatan Hwy., Nags Head, NC 27959. Condolences may be expressed via the online register at www.gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services Inc., Nags Head, was entrusted with arrangements.