HAMPTON ROADS — Guthrie Sawyer, 97, father, grandfather, great- grandfather, and great-great grandfather gained his wings on Thursday evening, October 7, 2021. He was born to Robert “Cleve” and Effie Smith Sawyer in Lynn, Arkansas. He has 6 children: James “Jimmy” Sawyer, deceased, Joel Sawyer and his wife Peggy of Jamestown, Tennessee, Rita Sawyer Waters and her husband Gary of Chesapeake, VA, Jeff Sawyer of Gloucester, VA, Phyllis Sawyer of Richmond, VA and Mark Sawyer of Franklin, VA. Guthrie has 13 grandchildren, 21 great- grandchildren and 21 great-great grandchildren.
He is survived by his sister, Shirley Sawyer Watson of Riverview, Fl., his children Joel Sawyer, Rita Waters, Phyllis Sawyer, Jeff Sawyer, Mark Sawyer, and his companion Carolyn Phillips of Newport News, VA.
Guthrie had a love and passion for southern gospel music beginning when he was a young boy singing with family and friends. As an adult, he sang with several quartets and groups within the Hampton Roads area. His love for the industry and gospel singers, led him into promoting his passion of gospel music which he did well into his 90’s. He brought the joy of gospel music to many churches within the area.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m., on Friday, October 15, 2021 at Weymouth Funeral Home, by Pastor Bob Wilson of Victory Baptist Church and Joel Meitz of Messick Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Tidewater Gospel Music Association (TGMA) C/o Carolyn Phillips, P.O. Box 925, Yorktown, VA 23692, in Guthrie Sawyer’s honor.