Lonnie “Joann” Sawyer passed from the embrace of family into the arms of Jesus on Friday November 8, 2019, at the age of 90. Born in Florence, Texas, on May 23, 1929, Joann was the daughter of William and Algia (Thorp) Wilson. After graduating from Florence High School in 1946, she attended Temple Junior College, then moved to Austin to work for the Texas Highway Department.
She married the love of her life, Melvin Sawyer, on December 10, 1949, and they celebrated life together for almost 68 years until the time of his passing. In 1959, they began their family, coinciding with her promotion to “Stay-at-Home Mom.” They became faithful members of Crestview Baptist Church in 1970, where she served in many capacities from committee and volunteer work to Sunday School Department Director, then eventually becoming Church Secretary for several years until she was in her early eighties.
She lit up a room with her vivacious personality, smile, and great sense of humor. She was an encourager, a supporter, and lived life with a servant’s heart. She treasured time spent with family and friends. During her life, she enjoyed water skiing, bowling, playing the piano, reading, traveling, and playing card games and dominoes. She attended Texas Longhorn sporting events and was an ardent Dallas Cowboys fan.
Joann leaves loving memories forever cherished by her son Mark and daughter-in-law Nancy of Cedar Park; granddaughter Laci and her husband Joseph Wojnarowski of Leander; grandsons Cole Sawyer and Jake Sawyer both of Austin; great-grandchildren Ava Sebring, Elijah Sebring and Sydney Wojnarowski of Leander; sisters Mary Alice Alberts and Pauline Mullen Geyer both of Georgetown; as well as many other family members, close friends, and long-time neighbors.
The family would like to acknowledge the outstanding support received from Ken and Yvonne Missler and the rest of the staff at the Riva Ridge Assisted Living Community, and also from Shelley, Cathy and Rachel at Guiding Hospice. The love and care that was shown will not be forgotten.
“Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” Proverbs 31:25-28
