Charles Stratford Sawyer, 102, passed away in the early morning hours of January 10, 2025. He was a man defined by his faith in God, unwavering strength, generosity, dedication to patriotism, humility, and his profound loyalty and love for his family and friends.

Born on February 23, 1922, to William and Ida Sawyer in Gaston County, North Carolina, Charles received his education from Mt. Holly High School and Belmont Abbey College. After voluntarily serving in the U.S. Naval Air Force in the Midway Islands during WWII as a gunner, he returned to Mt. Holly to pursue a career of forty plus years as a chemist with Sodyeco, a division of Martin Marietta Chemicals. A respected leader in his field, he developed and refined sulfur dyes that are still used in the textile and defense industries.

On December 3, 1942, on a five day leave from Basic Training, Charles married Van Buren Ewing (Bunnie), the love of his life for 62 years. She died January 29, 2010. Charles is also predeceased by his parents; son-in-law Charles Raymond McClure; and siblings, Brice, Bruce, Fairry, Kathleen, and Bradford; and his beloved cat, Monkey. Surviving are his two devoted daughters, Penny McClure and Maryvan Blair; five grandchildren, Betsy Heintz (Jeff), Mary Stratford Lake (Jonathan), Trip Blair (Leigh), Susan Jordan (Joe), and Anna Litzenberger (Justin); and twelve cherished great-grandchildren, Anna, Andrew, Carter, Sawyer, Abigail, Evan, Maddy, Emily, Jack, Charlie, Abby, and AnnaClair. Survivors also include his loyal and loved nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews and their families to whom he was referred to as "Uncle Buddy."

Charles, sometimes called "Charlie", will be remembered for his sharp intellect, dry wit, 63 years of perfect attendance at his church, Mt. Holly First Baptist Church and attendance at Jeanie's Branch Baptist Church, Ocean Isle Beach. When he was younger, Saturdays found him on the golf course with his regular foursome. Later, he became an avid follower of the PGA and attended many tournaments. He was a life- long student of American history and geography, a voracious reader, a lover of long regional drives, walks around his hometown, and going to one of his favorite destinations, the shared beach house at Ocean Isle Beach. One of his greatest joys was hand delivering home-grown vegetables to family and friends, apples from his annual mountain trek, wooden bowls from his historic Mulberry tree, and fast food gift cards to all in his path who served him. He will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Baptist Children's Home of North Carolina, P.O. Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering at imb.org/give, or the First Baptist Church of Mt. Holly Building Fund. The funeral service will begin at 2:00 on Tuesday, January 14, with an hour preceding for visitation at the First Baptist Church in Mt. Holly, NC.