Deborah Sawyer
What do you remember about Deborah? Share your stories and photos here, and invite others to come share their memories.
Deborah Jean Riley Sawyer, age 78, died peacefully entering her Savior's arms on Sunday, May 22, 2022. She was born on December 19, 1943, in Dallas, Texas to Lottie and Sam Riley. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Dolores Williams; her brother, Sammy Riley, Jr.; and her husband, David Sawyer. She graduated in 1962 from Irving High School and was a resident of Irving until 2005. In 1964, she married David, and they remained beloved partners until he lost his battle with cancer in 2004. Together, they owned and operated Sawyer's Sporting Goods in Irving for almost 30 years. Throughout her life, Deborah cultivated many hobbies and interests. She had an inclination for visual arts, creating mosaics, paintings, pottery, furniture, and sculptures from found objects. She is well-remembered for her ability to up-cycle and curate spaces. Her artist's eye extended beyond the visual arts and into an appreciation and curiosity for the small moments around her. From constellation spotting to thrift shopping, quotidian experiences were rendered fascinating with Deborah. She loved music and found joy in singing along to live music and karaoke. She had an open heart, treating those around her with gratitude and compassion and providing others with opportunities to express themselves openly. In her later years, she demonstrated this compassion in her role as a caregiver for Outreach near her home in Hubbard, Texas. She had a disarming disposition, having the ability to befriend most people regardless of their background or experiences. She was gracious, warm-hearted, loving, and adored by her family and friends. She is survived by her sister, Judy Hoffman of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; her son, David Sawyer, Jr. and wife Kathy of Weatherford, Texas; her daughter, Didi Coker and husband Kent of Dallas, Texas; and her three grandchildren: Claire Coker, Leah Sawyer, and David Sergey Sawyer. She also leaves behind many loving cousins and extended family. We miss her dearly, but we carry her spirit with us in our hearts. Thank you to Florence and Jude at Merit Hospice for taking such good care of her. The visitation is from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at the funeral home. The service is 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2022, at Brown's Memorial Funeral Home. Burial to follow at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens.