Virgie Sawyers

Virgie Sawyers, 95, a life-long resident of Laurel County, died Tuesday, January 6, 2009, at the Baptist Regional Medical Center. She taught many children during her 39 years of service to the Laurel County school system as an elementary school teacher.
Virgie was born on a farm in the "Campground" area of Laurel County on April 4, 1913, and moved to the city of Corbin during her married life. Virgie was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Corbin. She devoted her life caring for her special needs son, Raymond, until his death in 1994 at the age of 53. She was also pre-deceased by her husband, Alma Sawyers in 1998; her parents; one sister, Minnie Pope; and four brothers.
Survivors include her nieces Imogene York, Lou Pope, and Jan Pope; nephew, Paul Pope; and a host of other nieces and nephews and cherished friends, all who will mourn her passing.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm Thursday, January 8, 2009, and the funeral service will be held 2:00 pm Friday, January 9, at Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home with Pastor James Hunter officiating. Burial will follow at the Cumberland Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be David Pope, Josh Jenkins, Daniel Smith, Ben Davis, Jacob Davis and Justin Merritt. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of Virgie's Sunday School class at First Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church of Corbin.
Messages of condolence may be written to the family by logging on to vankirkgrisellfuneralhome.com