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VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Mary Mable W. Sawyer Williams (“Marie”), daughter of the late Wilbert Sawyer and Mable Melton Sawyer, was born January 24, 1945 and departed this life on May 31, 2023 at home in Virginia Beach.

There was a wake on Saturday, June 3 at Woodlawn Funeral Home, Norfolk, VA followed by a graveside service.

In her last few months, she quietly weathered the storm. Regardless of her failing health, she insisted on remaining contagiously charismatic for all who visited or called. In true Mary fashion, she lived as a free spirit, full of energy, as a lover of life and the life of the party from the beginning until the end. Her personality, individuality and beauty is what made her well-known and loved by many in the community.

Preceding her in death was a brother, Wilbert T. Sawyer Jr. of Ahoskie, NC and Clayton Edward Sawyer; a son, James Williams II; and a grandson, Dustin Tyler Johnson.

Mary was educated at Calvin Scott Brown School in Winton, NC. She started as a medical assistant in her early twenties. Once she settled with the love of her life in Virginia Beach, VA she became the proud manager of Hardee’s for 25 years while also being a talented seamstress, an accomplished chef, florist, wedding coordinator, and above all a loving devoted wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, and mother to not only her son, but to her 12 siblings, nieces, and nephews. Truly, she was the heart and soul of the family. During this time, she was married to James Edward Williams, Sr. To this union were two sons, James Williams II and James “Jamie” Williams, Jr.

She leaves to cherish her memories her husband, James Sr. of the home; her son, James Williams, Jr. (fiancé Christina West) of VA Beach, VA; three grandchildren, James Henry Gleason of St. Louis, Illinois, Angel Rae Johnson of VA Beach, VA, and Marley Hayden Cartin of Suffolk, VA; three great-grandchildren, Amiyah Larae Highter and Kali RaeLynn Highter (Angel) of VA Beach, VA, and Makena Gleason (James) of St. Louis, Illinois; one goddaughter, Brittnee Shawnta Priester of Charlotte, NC; 10 siblings, (sisters) Peggy Summers (Henry-deceased) of Union, NC, Gloria J. Peele (Earl-deceased) of Ahoskie, NC, Barbara Ann Martin (Ronald Sr.) of Palmyra, NJ, Eunice Priester (Zacki) of Ahoskie, NC and an adopted sister, Rosemary Perry of Ahoskie, NC; (brothers) Wilbert T. Sawyer-deceased (Sarah), James W. Sawyer, Lee Stanley Sawyer (Gwendolyn), Dwelton Sawyer (Cynthia), David Sawyer (Maureen), Jessie E. Sawyer (Alta) and Cornelius Sawyer (Talisa) all of Ahoskie, NC; one aunt and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Special Remarks:

Mom you were my rock and my strength. You were an independent, determined beauty queen that pushed me to be a man in your own way. Thank you for caring, being a great mother, provider, and listener. I loved you in life and I’ll love you more in death. Love your son, Jamie.