Annie Jane Anderson Sawyer

Annie Jane Anderson Sawyer, 93, passed away on November 19, 2014. She was born January 26, 1921 in Gillsburg, Mississippi. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lenwood S. Sawyer, Sr., her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Anderson, Sr., brother and sister-in-law, Mr and Mrs Roy Anderson, Jr., and brother-in-law, Jack Hamilton. Annie Jane is survived by her sister, Virginia Merle Hamilton and five children, Lenwood S. Sawyer, Jr. (Earline), William Anderson Sawyer (Judy), Thomas Watts Sawyer, Robert John Sawyer (Suzie), Jane Anne Doucet (Dickie). She has eight grandchildren, Sandi Sawyer Dulaney (Tim), Lenwood S. Sawyer III (Heather), Drew Sawyer, Michael (Mikey) Sawyer, Sarah Anne Sawyer, Clint Sawyer, Robert John Sawyer II and Betsey Sawyer. She has nine great grandchildren, Mac Dulaney, Anderson Dulaney, Jackson Dulaney, Nick Dulany, Luke Dulaney, Lenwood Stokley Sawyer IV, Henry Earl Sawyer, Hadley Smith, and Corbin Smith. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Gulfport where she taught Sunday school, and was a member of Edna Wilson's class and the Scrap Iron Sunday school class. Her church membership and church friends were so very much a part of her life. She and her parents moved to Gulfport in 1925, where she attended the Gulfport schools, later graduating from Gulfport High School in 1938. From high school she attended Mississippi State College for Women, Columbus, Mississippi, now known as Mississippi University for Women. In 1942 she graduated with honors. She was always grateful for her education, as it served her well. Beginning when she was thirteen years of age she went to work in her father’s office, Roy Anderson Real Estate, and continued working during holidays while attending school. After graduation from college she did some substitute teaching, did office work at Gulfport field during World War II and then back to the Real Estate office. In 1953 the Real Estate office added the sale of general insurance services. She then was licensed for the sale of both real estate and insurance. Due to number of employees the office was separated in 1986 and she became the manager of the insurance office. Working with her family was always special to her. She was very involved in her children's school activities and several civic and business organizations, including Junior Woman's Club, Harrison County Library Board, Merry Maskers, Gulfport Yacht Club, Great Southern Club, Fine Arts Club and served as volunteer docent at the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art. On her eightieth birthday the City of Gulfport declared that a special day in her honor. The study of all forms of Art and Art Appreciation was a favorite thing for her. Membership in the Fine Arts Club and its members allowed her further study. A service will be at the First Baptist Church of Gulfport at 12 noon on Monday, November, 24th. A visitation will be held from 10am to 12 noon at the same location. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Gulfport. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street is in charge of arrangements. The family prefers memorials to the First Baptist Church,12190 Sr 605, Gulfport, MS 39503 or the church of your choice.