Lethia Amanda (Willis) Sawyers

Lethia Amanda (Willis) Sawyers transitioned from labor to reward on June 13, 2025. She was born on December 16, 1950, in Bluefield, West Virginia, to the late Elhanier "Coach" Willis and Jaunita Harris Willis. She was also preceded in death by a brother John "Butch" Willis of Hopewell, VA.

Amanda attended Mercer County Schools and graduated from Park Central High in 1968. She attended West Virginia State College and received a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Science from Christopher Newport College in Newport News, VA.

During her time at West Virginia State College, Amanda met the love of her life and married LTC (Ret.) William "Billy" Sawyers. 

A devout Christian with unwavering faith, Amanda centered her life around her family, which she would say was her greatest achievement. She was a devoted mother, homemaker, military spouse, daughter, sister, grandmother, and friend. As a mother, she always made time to listen to her children's problems or concerns and support their decisions. Her love was unconditional, and her dedication to her family was immeasurable.

When things got difficult, she got tougher. Her grandchildren, who affectionately called her "Grandmother”, were her pride and heart's joy. She enjoyed being actively involved in their lives, supporting their activities/accomplishments, and spending any time they could carve out to be together.

Additionally, Amanda and Billy enjoyed traveling, cruising, New York Yankees spring training games, annual family reunions, West Virginia State University Homecomings, treating their grandchildren to an annual week in Florida for spring break, spending time with family/friends, and being "snowbirds", spending their winters at their home in Florida. Amanda also loved flowers. This was evident by the numerous flowers in her home sunroom, and on most sunny days, she spent hours working in her outside flowerbeds.

Nearing completion of a twenty-two-year military journey alongside her husband, she served as a Budget Assistant and Analyst for twenty years; first with the U.S. Army in Frankfurt, Germany, and later with the U.S. Air Force at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia. She retired in December 2010 to begin a new chapter as a “snowbird”.

In addition to her husband of fifty-four years, she also leaves to cherish her life and legacy the other loves of her life, her loving daughter Rochelle Thompson (Larry), and their children, Jamal and Janae Thompson, all of Chester, VA; as well as her caring son William "BJ" Sawyers Jr. (LaToya), and their children, Jalen Sawyers, Javon Sawyers, and Janiya Sawyers, all of Williamsburg, VA; she is also survived by her siblings and in-laws, Edna Willis of Chester, VA, Chester Willis (Diatricia) of Huntersville, NC, Elaine Davis (Percy) of Charlotte, NC, Larry Sawyers of Detroit, MI, Wayne Sawyers (Sandra) of Yuma, AZ, LTC (Ret.) Michael Sawyers (Cheryl) of Silver Springs, MD and Pinellas Park, FL; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 27, 2025, at Whiting's Funeral Home with a viewing beginning at noon.  Interment will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in her memory to a kidney disease foundation of their choice.

Professional services have been entrusted to the staff of Whiting's Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com

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