Ricky Ray Sawyer

   Ricky Ray Sawyer, 63, of 172 Parker Road, Gates, NC, died Tuesday, January 9, 2024 in his home where he was cared for by his family.

   Ricky was born in Pasquotank County on March 13, 1960 and was the son of the late Lawrence T. and Bessie Lee Perry Sawyer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Angelique; his daughter and her husband, Andrea and Calvin Hirmke; and a sister, Brenda Diane Kilgore.

   A retired independent contractor with UTZ Quality Foods, he later worked in the Currituck County Public School System as a monitor and driver in the bus transportation department.

   Many will remember Ricky as someone who loved life, was a hard worker, never met a stranger, was a “rascal” with a giving heart, and who had an immense love for children.

   Surviving is his wife of 17 years, Ginny Ward Sawyer; daughters, Greta Sawyer Meadows of Havelock and Elizabeth Lynn Ward (fiancé, Braden) of Gates; his sister, Sharon Lee Bowman (husband, Tommy) of Elizabeth City; his brother, Lawrence Wayne Sawyer (wife, Connie) of South Mills; and two grandchildren, Liam Meadows and Emerson Rae Nale.

   A gathering for family and friends will be held Saturday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the Social Hall of Beulah Baptist Church, 967 US 158, Sunbury. At all other times the family will be receiving friends at the residence.

   In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or online at www.stjude.org.