Sawyer, Frances M.

Frances Marie Sawyer, of Mesquite, Texas, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 15, 2014 at Baylor Hospital Hospice Care in Dallas.  She was born August 9, 1928 in Rice, Texas to Lonnie Eugene and Mamie Louise Geer.

Frances, her brother Don, and her sister Louise moved with their parents to Safford, Arizona in 1935.  On November 8, 1946, Frances married Russell Edward Myers.  They had four children, were active members of the First Southern (Calvary) Baptist Church, and enjoyed spending time with their extended family in the Safford area.  Their marriage ended in divorce in 1969, and Frances moved to Dallas, Texas shortly thereafter to be close to her brother Don.  Upon moving to Dallas, Frances worked for SEDCO until her retirement.  In 1973, Frances married Harold Martin Sawyer.  Throughout the years, Frances and Harold hosted many large family gatherings.  Their home in Mesquite became the central gathering point for the whole family.  Although Frances never obtained a college degree, she was well read and loved poetry.  She also loved cooking, decorating, and the company of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Frances is survived by her husband, Harold Sawyer, her four children, Janet Morgan (husband Frank) of Lancaster, Texas, Judy Freeman (husband Don) of Huntsville, Texas, Tom Myers (wife Peggy) of Kemp, Texas, and Liz deWet (husband Leon) of Lebanon, Tennessee, 6 grandchildren – Jason Morgan (wife Necia), Kimberly Morgan, Anthony Freeman, Melinda Fithen (husband Scott), Adam Myers (wife Rebecca), Cody Myers, and 8 great-grandchildren – Katie Morgan, Hayden Freeman, Hadley Freeman, Pema Fithen, Audrey Myers, Gage Myers, C.J. Myers, and Ben Myers.  She is also survived by her brother Don’s wife, Aretes Geer, and by her two step daughters Angela Parr (husband Bill) and Andrea Russell (husband Ronnie) and another 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her first husband, Russell Myers, her brother Don Geer, and her sister, Louise McCalip.

A private memorial service will be held July 12, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church in Huntsville, Texas.  At Frances’s request, her ashes will be returned to the desert surrounding her Safford, Arizona home.