Charles M.T. Sawyer II

Charles M.T. Sawyer, II died Saturday, August 22, 2015. He was born December 30, 1927 in West Palm Beach, Florida, and moved to Fort Payne in 1930 with his mother, Sarah P. Sawyer and sister, Sarah E. Sawyer, where they lived with his grandparents, Charles M. T. Sawyer and Nannie H. Sawyer. Charles joined the then First Methodist Church of Fort Payne at the age of ten. He graduated high school from Gulf Coast Military Academy. He was a veteran of World War II, then attended the University of Alabama, where he received a B.S. degree in pre-law, then LLB degree in Law. He was a member of the V.F.W., and a past Post Commander of American Legion Post No.89 in Fort Payne. He was past Company Commander of Company C 151 Engineer Bn. (at Valley Head and Hammondville) Alabama National Guard. Mr. Sawyer had been active in the American Red Cross, the National Foundation (infantile paralysis), past president of the American Cancer Society, the U.G.F., past president of the American Heart Association, charter treasurer of DeSoto Country Club, and past president of the Rotary Club. For more than forty-five years he had worked in one capacity or another with the Boy Scouts of America, as he held many and various posts including District Chairman for four successive years. In scouting he was the first Eagle Scout in Dekalb Co. in Troop 63, later Scoutmaster of that troop for several years, recipient of the District Scouter Award, the Silver Beaver Award, and Heart of the Eagle Award. He was instrumental in the formation of the Desoto Scout Trail, a scout hiking trail that runs from DeSoto Falls to Edna Hill Baptist Church. He served as treasurer of the trail funds for many years that followed since inception. Charles served as board attorney for the Sand Mountain Rural Electric Coop from 1956 until 2005. Charles was Vice-President of the Fort Payne Bank from 1958 to 1966, at which time he took over his family’s insurance agency, Sawyer Insurance Agency. He managed this business until 2007 when health reason forced him to retire. He has been a lawyer, banker, and businessman and was well known throughout Dekalb County. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ann Marlyn Bennett Sawyer; three children; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday from the First United Methodist Church of Fort Payne with Rev. Rickey Smith, and Judge Randall Cole officiating. Burial will follow in the Glenwood Cemetery with Military Honors. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. hour of service. The family request in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the First United Methodist Church, 206 Grand Avenue NW, Fort Payne, AL 35967, the Alpine Scout Cabin, Inc., c/o Bill Mitchell, 902 Driver Lane, Fort Payne, AL 35967, or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692. Wilson Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements

Charles M.T. Sawyer II

December 30, 1927 - August 22, 2015