Linwood B. Sawyer, Sr.

Linwood Bernard Sawyer, Sr., affectionately known as “Dirty Red”, “Red Man”, based on where in life you knew him, was a native of Portsmouth, Virginia. He was the youngest son of the late Lawrence P. Sawyer, Sr. and Florence Copeland Sawyer. He peacefully departed this earthly life on Sunday, October 8, 2023. Bernard grew up in the Zion Bethel Congregational Christian Church under the Pastoralship of his grandparents, the late Rev. Joseph H. and Ethel Copeland. He served in the Youth Department and Male Chorus. Bernard attended Portsmouth and Chesapeake Public City Schools and served in the United States Marine Corps. Bernard loved three things in life, Family, Friends and Football. He was a diehard Dallas Cowboys Fan and stood tall and firm for his team in the good, bad and ugly. He flew his Cowboys Flags proudly and had all the Cowboys Paraphernalia. He would bet on the games with his brother/best, friend Boobie; his brothers-in-law, Duke and Ben and his nephew, Cameron. All In Fun. Bernard loved to dress especially wearing his (grown man hat) and then his Dallas Cowboys Caps. His Mother would buy him Stacey Adams shoes when he was a teenager. She loved keeping him dressed up because he was her spoiled Baby Boy and he loved it. Bernard had a laugh that was contagious, a smile that would melt your heart and he was a Big Heart Giving Man. He would talk SOO LOUD that you would say, “Dudeeee, Why So LOUD!” LOL Bernard loved his family, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and was so proud of them.  While hospitalized, his daughters, sisters and sister/cousin would devote their love and time assisting his loving wife Kenya in his care and he was able to tell them all, I love you, thank you for loving and caring for me with a smile, forehead kisses and hugs. Also, while in the hospital, The Holy Spirit spoke to his sister Julie aka “Hambone” regarding offering her beloved brother the “Sinner’s Prayer”. On that day, Bernard made the Most Important Decision Of His Life, he gave and accepted Jesus Christ our Lord And Savior Into His Life and was Overjoyed!  Hallelujah, His Response, “Does this Mean I Belong To Your Church?”  The Response, “NO SIR, It Means You Belong To JESUSSSS!  Glory!” He was content and had an assurance that he was ready for the next journey. We are assured of this because later he told his sister Valma that he was just waiting for JESUS to pick up in his dump truck which was his profession for over 40 years.  Bernard was employed at Parkway Grading where his eyes wandered, heart fluttered, where he met, fell in love and married his beautiful Queen of his Heart Kenya Vinson on June 7, 2008. While working at Meeks, Bernard was the sharpest dump truck driver wearing his Stacey Adams everyday. It was his wife Kenya who introduced and purchased him his first pair of sneakers. LOL White and you better know he kept them pure white. Bernard loved working. After retirement he decided to re-join the work force working at Parkway Grading Company until his health failed. Bernard was preceded in death by his father, Lawrence P. Sawyer, Sr.; his mother, Florence Copeland Sawyer; his sister, Cecilia Sawyer and his brother-in-law, Jay Helms. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving and dedicated wife, Kenya; three daughters, Nicole Horton, Tonya Knight (Greg), and NiKenya Windley; three sons, Linwood Sawyer, Jr.(Matika), Travis Sawyer and Nairobi Windley; thirteen grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Lawrence Sawyer, Jr.; eight sisters, Valerie Sawyer, Viola Bell (Otis), Michelle Snipes(Lendo), Julie Lloyd (Benjamin), Penny Wilson (Michael), Iris Helms, Valma Mims (Maurice), Theresa Cox- Ford (Thomas); his Special sister/cousin, Connie Johnson (Harrison); father and mothers in-law, Claude and Carolyn Vinson; three aunts, one uncle and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.