Maurine Sawyer

Portsmouth - Maurine Elizabeth Sawyer, a native of Stilson, Georgia, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2018 in her home in Vero Beach, Florida. Maurine graduated in 1938 as Valedictorian of her class at Cradock High School in Portsmouth, Virginia. It was at Cradock that she met her beloved husband of 60 years, Lafayette, who preceded her in death 16 years ago. The couple made their home in Portsmouth, where they lovingly raised their daughters, Patricia and Deborah. Maurine volunteered as a room mother and served as PTA president at Westhaven Elementary where her daughters attended school. Early in her career, Maurine worked as a hairdresser and then after completing secretarial school she was employed at Norfolk Naval Shipyard as a payroll clerk. She was a talented seamstress and cook and took great pleasure in preparing wonderful meals and baked goods for her family and friends. She adored her two grandchildren, Erin and Brent and treasured time spent in their company. Maurine and Lafayette were active members of Westhaven Baptist Church for many years where Maurine taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She was a long-standing member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Victory Chapter #16, Chesapeake, VA. In 2006 she moved to Vero Beach, FL to live near her daughter Patricia and son-in-law Robert Smith in her final years. Maurine was predeceased by her husband, Lafayette Flynn Sawyer and brother William Heyward McElveen of Norfolk, VA. She is survived by her brother Aulton Frank McElveen of Sebastian, FL, her daughter Patricia Lynn Sawyer and her husband Robert Leon Smith of Indian River Shores, FL, her daughter Deborah Sue Mitchell of Centreville, MD, two grandchildren, Erin Leigh Mitchell of Centreville, MD, and Brenton James Mitchell and his wife Jacki Skeweris of Honolulu, HI. She is also survived by Erin and Brenton’s father Ronald Lee Mitchell of Queenstown, MD, and nieces and nephews residing in Florida and Virginia. A visitation will be held at the Loving Funeral Home in Portsmouth on Monday, August 27, from 5:00–6:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family would be appreciative of contributions in Maurine’s memory to Westhaven Baptist Church, Portsmouth, VA.