Betty Jo (Quesinberry) Sawyer

Betty Jo Quesinberry Sawyer, 91, of Winston-Salem, NC, passed away on Friday, August 16, 2024, after a brief illness.

Betty Jo was born in Surry County on February 19, 1933, to Otis and Lula White Quesinberry. She grew up on a farm in Mt. Airy, the youngest girl in a family of six children, and attended Franklin High School, where she loved history and geography classes and also enjoyed home ec, developing a lifelong love of sewing, crocheting and making quilts.

She had two sons and loved them dearly, as well as her grandchildren. She pursued successful careers as a secretary and bookkeeper and also had a love of fashion, working as a cosmetics saleswoman and a buyer for department stores like JCPenney and Thalhimers. She also pursued studies at Guilford College and Winston-Salem Business College. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, the Rev. Vincent Sawyer, a Baptist pastor, and served with him in various churches. A devoted follower of Jesus, Betty Jo was eager to share the good news of the gospel with all she encountered and often included the tagline "Because of Calvary" in cards she sent to loved ones. She lived for many years in Bedford, Virginia, and moved back to Winston-Salem after retiring from her job as a bookkeeper at Lord Botetourt High School near Roanoke, Virginia. Betty Jo loved flowers and birds and was a woman of many talents. She wrote poetry and prose and in her latter years took up painting, blessing many family members and friends with her cheerful artwork. She particularly loved painting birds.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Thelma Burgess, Odessa Vestal and Frances Gravley; and two brothers, Burnett Quesinberry and Ivey "Pete" Quesinberry.

Betty Jo is survived by two sons, Mark Evans (Angie) and Keith Evans; grandchildren Amanda Evans Everhart (Brent), Meghann Evans, Chelsea Evans, Elijah Evans (Logan), Abigail Evans and Malachi Evans; great-grandchildren; and a host of other family members, dear neighbors, and friends.

A memorial service for Betty Jo will be held on Saturday, September 21st at 2 p.m. at Village of Tobaccoville Community Center at 4225 Tobaccoville Rd, Tobaccoville, NC 27050. The family invites guests to wear their favorite pieces of jewelry and bright colors, in tribute to Betty Jo's vibrant sense of style, and to bring a covered dish for fellowship after the service.