Fleetwood Leo Sawyer

Fleetwood Leo Sawyer, 78, of Elizabeth City went to his eternal home and gained his angel wings on Friday, December 12, 2025.

Mr. Sawyer was born on January 12, 1947 to Phillip Fleetwood Sawyer and Lillian Banks Sawyer. Fleetwood was a jack of all trades. He enjoyed farming, Nascar, working on vehicles, mainly Fords, cooking, fishing, going to Tennessee and spending time with his family. He was often known as the man in the blue suits, “ The Ford Man”, the man with the shiniest black truck, and a lookalike of Elvis Presley and Conway Twitty. At the age of 18, Mr. Sawyer served his country proudly in the Vietnam War as an Army Vet. Upon returning home he had his hand in many endeavors but later found himself working for Ford Motor Company in Norfolk, VA where he loved building Ford pickups and retired after 39 & 1/2 years. After retirement, he went back to his childhood roots, farming and you could always tell what fields he plowed because his rows were perfect. He was a member of Fountain of Life Church where he was later baptized in 2013.

Surviving are his two daughters, Monica (Danny) Pippins of Hertford, NC and Michele (Jerry) Credle of Elizabeth City, NC; five granddaughters, Courtney (Christopher) Gardner, Samantha (Frisco) Bunn, Lauren (Bucky) Trotman, Madeleine (Coletin) Chandler and Hannah (Michael) Kelley; two step grandsons, Adam Pippins and Chase Pippins; one step granddaughter, Carrie Humblet; numerous great-grandchildren; and his furry four legged companion whom he loved dearly, Coco. He is also survived by his brother, Phil (Cheryl) Sawyer of Camden, NC and Phyllis (Mark) Gryder of Suffolk, VA.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Joyce Twiddy. We know that he is no longer here with us but we have peace knowing that we will see him again.

The family will greet friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at the Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, NC 27944.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at the Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home Chapel, Hertford, NC. Friends may visit with the family immediately following the service. A private burial will follow in West Lawn Cemetery, Elizabeth City, NC.

Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, Hertford, NC is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com