Cecilia Sawyers

Mrs. Cecilia Antoinette Sawyers was a resourceful and responsible resilient woman of God. She was a strong foundation and natural leader in her personal and professional dealings. She was born Janurary 20, 1961 in Nashville, TN. Cecilia transitioned August 15, 2025 at St. Thomas West Hospital in Nashville, TN. Cecilia was the daughter of the late Cecil and Virginia Whitmon. She lived her life as a loving, caring, hard working, dedicated and compassionate wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Cecilia attended Metro Nashville Public Schools and then attended Austin Peay and Tennessee State University for college. In addition, Cecilia gave 18 years of dedicated services to Metro Public Schools where she retired in 2014. Following retirement, Cecilia worked part-time for the Metro Teachers Credit Union for 6 years. After her time at the credit union, she began working full-time for the Tennessee State Department of Health where she dedicated 5 years of service. A woman of God who took pride in serving the Lord, Cecilia accepted Christ at an early age and began her spiritual journey at Lee Chapel AME where she served on the Stewardess Board and Meals on Wheels. After reconnecting with her husband and soul mate Arvis Sawyers, Cecilia’s faith flourished when she joined Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop Joseph W. Walker III. Cecilia found a new joy becoming a grandmother. She loved supporting and spending quality time with her grandchildren. She shared a special bond with her children Bianca and Joshua, and showed them a love that could never be replaced. No matter what she did, there was never a time Cecilia did not make sure that her children knew how much she was there for them and loved them, as well as her nieces and nephews. Cecilia is preceded in death by her parents Virginia and Cecil C. Whitmon Sr., and Aunt Gwendolyn Bell.Her legacy lives on through her Husband Arvis Sawyers, Daughter Bianca Bass, and son Joshua Perry, Step Daughter Sharita Carey, and Lydia Williams, and stepson Arvis J Sawyers Jr., Sister Denise Wilson, brother Cecil Whitmon Jr., Sister-in-laws Sevara Sawyers, Carmen Sawyers, Richelle Jenkins, Grandchildren Kaiden, Khailyn, Kaiya, Kennedi and Keyden Bass, Atirahs Hogen and Levi Williams, Nephews Cecil Whitmon III (Cece), and Whitney Wilson (Whit), Nieces Cyandria Martin, Great niece Marleya Wilson and great nephews Chance Whitmon, Christian and Demir Echols and a host of beloved relatives and friends who will forever cherish her and her memories. In addition to her family, she is survived by her dear friends Katherine Corley, Bridgette Clark, and Zora Bates. Their friendships became a sisterhood with an unbreakable bond and they shared many days of stories, prayers, laughs and joy to one another. Cecilia was a woman of courage, strength and love who took pride in always being a helping hand, listening ear, shoulder to lean on and backbone that her family and friends always needed. Her dedication to others will be cherished by all whowere blessed to have had her in their presence. She will be remembered not only by the beautiful smile that lit up the room when she walked in, but by the lives she’s touched throughout her years of life.