Mrs. Helen Butler Sawyer died July 27, 2010 at The Oaks of Mayview in Raleigh, North Carolina. A former resident of Dekalb County, Georgia, she moved to Raleigh in 2007 to be near family. Helen was born in Fulton County, Georgia, on June 21, 1922, to Nettie Bone Butler and Era Vernon Butler. She grew up in Greenville, North Carolina, where she met Edwin A. Sawyer, her husband of 60 years. Helen was an active member of Chapel Woods Presbyterian Church. She began her career in Greenville, NC, with Carolina Telephone and Telegraph Company. Helen worked in Atlanta with the General Services Administration in telecommunications retiring in 1982 with 24 years of service. Helen was predeceased by her parents, her husband, and her sisters: Mrs. Minnie Lou Gary, Mrs. Selina Cofield, Mrs. Mary Pauline Forbes, Mrs. Gladys Marie Mason, and Mrs. Ethel Lee Sumrell. Helen and her husband were a great source of love, support, and inspiration to all of their family. They leave many wonderful memories of happy times. Helen and Ed had no children but were dearly loved by their nieces and nephews: Wayne and Margaret Sumrell, Raleigh, NC, Mickie Ezelle, Winterville, NC, Jerry and Paula Cofield, Kennesaw, GA, Gary and Nancy Cofield, Walterboro, SC, great nieces and nephews: Patricia Sumrell, Apex, NC, Robert Sumrell, Manhattan, New York, Tracy and Kelly Tingle, Kinston, NC, Greg and Michelle Savage, Cary, NC, Gregg and Shannon Cofield, Cartersville, GA, Gary and Lynn Cofield, Acworth, GA, Jimmy and Andrea Cofield, Marietta, GA, Mrs. Jennifer Ciotola, Hawaii, Mrs. Samantha Eastman, Columbus, GA, Lonnie Blair, Sykesville, MD, brother-in-law Don Sawyer, Shelby Township, MI, and dear friend Mrs. Louise Collins, Covington, GA. Services will be held on Monday, August 2, 2010. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at AS Turner & Sons Funeral Home in Decatur, GA followed by a processional to the 1:00pm graveside service at Westview Cemetery in Atlanta, GA.
