Joyce A. Sawyer

Joyce A. Sawyer, 82, of S. Chesterfield, VA, passed away on Tuesday, November 14, 2023. Joy was a beautiful, intelligent, and talented person who sang, painted, wrote poetry, and raised a wonderful family.

She was born in Longview, WA. She had four brothers and three sisters. She had a turbulent early life, going through several foster families until melding with the Davenport family, including her older sister.

She did well in school, meeting several long-term friends and great teachers. She graduated in 1959 from RA. Long High School, where she met her long-term husband and partner, Jim. Her best friends, “the 4 fabs”, got together almost every year for the last 40 years.

The family moved to Chester, VA, in 1966, and they also lived in Louisiana and Buffalo, NY, transferring with his company until moving back to Virginia where they have lived for the past 50 years making many new friends.

She was a loving mother to Karyn, Scott, and Lorna. Scott died in 2005, which was a devastating blow to all, but Joy was tough and kept all of her family together. She was “Bammie” to four grandchildren, Megan, Gordon, Gabriel, and Gavin, and four great-grandchildren, Ella, Dillan, Dean, and Evan.

Joy loved her Border Collies, was an enthusiastic flower gardener, and would sometimes burst out in songs inside and outside of the house, as well as in a church folk choir who would travel to perform at various area churches. During all of this time, she painted, made pottery, and wrote poetry including a Haiku for which she won a couple of National prizes for.

If anyone shares Joy’s love for Border Collies and wishes to make a donation, please donate to the Glen Highland Senior Border Collie & Rescue in Gloucester, VA, https://glenhighlandfarm.com/donation.htm. You may also make donations to any kidney research organization of your choosing, as she developed a chronic kidney disease and in less than one year, destroyed her.