SONORA, Texas – Lura Ward Sawyer, 90, longtime resident of Sutton County, Texas, died Jan. 4, 2007, at Hudspeth Memorial Hospital, Sonora, Texas. Lura was born Aug. 11, 1916, in Cleveland, Texas, to Haynes and Evelyn Ward. She attended schools in Oakwood and Teague, Texas, graduating from Teague High School in May 1933. She attended Sullins College, Bristol, Va., graduating with a general diploma in 1935, and then attended Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas, graduating in 1938 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. While there she was the Zeta Tau Alpha beauty in 1937 and 1938. Lura moved to Sonora, Texas, after college graduation and taught at the L.W. Elliott Elementary School until her marriage. On June 7, 1941, she married Edwin Sawyer. They lived on the Sawyer ranch outside of Sonora, Texas, for 10 years until they built their home on Castle Hill Road in 1951, where she lived until her death. Always active in community affairs, Lura was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Sonora Women’s Club, the Hospital Auxiliary, and an honorary director of the First National Bank, Sonora, Texas. She also served as a member of the Senior Center Board and delivered Meals on Wheels until she was 85 years old. An avid reader, Lura took particular interest in the success of the Sonora Public Library and contributed many books to the small library in Seboeis. She was very active in three bridge clubs and enjoyed the many friends she had in those clubs. Since 1981, she and Edwin, prior to his death and then later with her son, Eddie, provided ranch facilities for the annual sixth grade field tour, which provides hands-on learning to children about the conservation of natural resources. Lura was the recipient of several conservation awards, including Conservation Rancher of the Year in 1993 and 2003, and the Texas Conservation Awards Program Resident Conservation Rancher in 2005. She was also chosen as Citizen of the Year by the Sonora Chamber of Commerce in 1996. In addition to her many friends in Sonora, Texas, Lura was equally close to a number of friends and relatives in Maine, where she spent her summers at the Sawyer family’s lake house. Lura was predeceased by her husband, Edwin Sawyer; sister-in-law, Alice Jones; and brother-in-law, Wesley Sawyer. Family members include her son, Edwin Sawyer III; daughter and son-in-law, Sarah and Preston Neely; daughter and son-in-law, Jane and Carlos Davis; daughter and son-in-law, Molly and Chip Campbell; her grandchildren, Sawyer Neely and his wife, Suzi, Joe Neely and his wife, Amy, Carrie Coke and her husband, Charles, Christin Davis, Eugene Davis and Allison Campbell; and great-grandchildren, Jack Neely, Jake Neely and Wesley Neely. Lura is also survived by her niece, Claire Jones; and her nephew and his wife, Cleve T. and Lolabeth Jones and their families, whom she also considered her children. The Sawyer family would like to thank the doctors and the staff at Hudspeth Memorial Hospital for their loving care of our mother, and to Maria Espinosa, our mother’s special caretaker and friend. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, at the First United Methodist Church, Sonora, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sutton County Health Foundation, the First United Methodist Church, or a charity of your choice.
LURA WARD SAWYER
