Virginia Turner Sawyer

Virginia Elizabeth Catherine Turner Sawyer, 99, of Charlottesville passed away on Monday, January 8, 2024 at her home with her loving family by her side. Virginia, “Jenny,” was born in Barboursville, VA on March 29, 1924 to the late Robert Allen Turner and Margaret Haney Turner. In 1941, Jenny met Joshua “Reuben” Sawyer on a dairy farm in Portsmouth, Virginia where she worked after graduating from McIntire High School. Reuben was working on the farm, and when he saw her in her red corduroy dress, it was love at first sight. They were married in Norfolk, VA on July 9, 1942 and were happily married for 51 years. Jenny was a devoted member of Piedmont Christian Church for over seventy years. She served in many capacities, played on the church softball team, and cooked countless delicious dishes for church potlucks. Jenny was an avid bowler starting in the 1970s and bowled into her eighties. She loved her teammates and going to tournaments. Her career high game was 267. She loved playing cards and was dominant at the card table. Jenny also loved dancing. Later in life, she met Joe Martin out dancing and they enjoyed over 20 years together. Most of all, Jenny loved the Lord and her family. She set an example of unconditional love that all of her friends and family were blessed to receive.Jenny was preceded in death by her husband Reuben Sawyer; her brothers Roy and Robert Turner; her sister, Lucille West; and daughter-in-law, Alice Sawyer. Jenny leaves behind her three sons; Joshua “J.R.” Sawyer (Sharane), Robert “Bob” Sawyer (Linda), and Phil Sawyer (Debbie); a daughter-in-law, Laurie Martin; a special friend and companion, Joe Martin; grandchildren Cyndi Shreve (Dennis), Joey Sawyer, Jennifer Herndon (David), Adam Sawyer (Terri), Jacob Sawyer, Nikki Kiger (Shawn), Kristen Deane (Shannon), Caleb Martin, Paul McClure; great grandchildren Kendra, Dustin, Jocelyn, Trey, Grayson, Dillon, Henry, Riley, Brylen, Cassidy, Tinsley, Braysen, and Trevyn; great great grandchildren Kaleb, Everett, and Zane; and many beloved nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 5:00pm – 7:00pm on Sunday, January 14, 2024 at Teague Funeral Service, 2260 Ivy Road Charlottesville VA 22903. A graveside service will be held at 11:00am on Monday, January 15, 2024 at Holly Memorial Gardens, 3251 Seminole Trail Charlottesville, VA 22911. A reception will follow at Ivy Creek United Methodist Church, 674 Woodlands Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22901. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes you’d consider making a donation in Jenny’s memory to Piedmont Christian Church, 4198 Stony Point Rd., Keswick, VA 22947.