Margaret Louise Davis Sawyer, known lovingly as “Tommy Sue” in her younger years, passed away peacefully of natural causes on November 7, 2025 in the comfort of her son and daughter-in-law’s home.
She was born on May 31, 1930, in a rustic cabin in Attalla, Alabama, delivered by a midwife. At six weeks old, she and her mother traveled to Opp, Alabama, where she grew up surrounded by love and kindness from her mother and two aunts while her father sought work during the Great Depression. She often said she felt like a very lucky girl to have been raised in such a caring home. She attended school in Opp where she was on the cheerleading team in High School. Her first job was at the West Five and Dime store when she was just 14.
Margaret married James Sawyer in 1948, and together they had four children — Pam Buckles, Meg Harris, Ken Sawyer, and Jim Sawyer. She worked as an office secretary at the Opp Chamber of Commerce. She also helped James run The Sweet Shop and Sawyer’s Grill where the family had many of their meals together. Some of her fondest memories were of happy days spent with her children and other family members at the beach in Bay Grove, Florida.
After moving with her children to Griffin, Georgia — where her father and his wife lived — she worked at Dundee Bleachery and later as a nurse in a doctor’s office and the Spalding County Hospital pharmacy, where she retired in 1995. In her later years, Margaret continued helping others, working at the Council on Aging in Griffin and with the Department of Family and Child Services until her final retirement at age 86.
Margaret enjoyed several years of dancing, traveling and cooking with her good friend Jack Pass. She is remembered for her feisty spirit and down to earth sense of humor.
She leaves behind her four children and their spouses, eight grandchildren, and sixteen great-grandchildren, all of whom will cherish the memories made with her. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
A private remembrance will be held with the family.
Memorial donations may be made to:
– Council on Aging in Griffin (1523 Kell Lane Griffin, GA 30224,councilonaging.tripod.com/)
-Spalding County Humane Society (105 Justice Blvd Griffin, GA 30224,.spaldingcounty.com/departments-services/animal-care-control)
-Council on Aging in Henderson County, NC (105 King Creek Blvd, Hendersonville, NC 28792, mountainagingpartners.org/ways-support)
-Four Seasons Hospice( 571 South Allen Rd., Flat Rock, NC 28731, fourseasonsfdn.org/ways-to-give/give-today/)
Jackson Funeral Service is honored to serve the Sawyer family.