February 26, 2026, 96, Elizabeth City – Ventrice Eloise Chappell Sawyer, age 96, of Elizabeth City, NC, passed peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones, and went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 26, 2026. Born in Belvidere, NC, on January 13, 1930, to the late Charlie G. Chappell and Gladys Dale Chappell, she was the widow of William “Gold” Staples Sawyer. A lifelong lover of scripture, she studied at Roanoke Bible College and stayed close to her faith as a devoted member of Corinth Baptist Church. She loved gardening, baking, and crafting, and her hands were never idle. She was very talented.
Ventrice is survived by three sons, William Wade Sawyer (Bess) of Goldsboro, NC, and Bryant Kenley Sawyer and Neill Sawyer of Elizabeth City, NC; two daughters, Karen F. Sawyer of Kitty Hawk, NC, and Janet Hewgley (Robert) of Athens, TN; two brothers, Grant Chappell (Amy) and Wayne Chappell (Debbie), all of SC; five grandchildren, Weil Sawyer, Catheran-Bess Sawyer, Michael Hewgley, Brandon Sawyer, and Travis Sawyer; three great-grandchildren, Magnolia Faith Sawyer, Megan Stallings, and Nathan Sawyer; and one great-great-grandson, Holdyn Blake Stallings. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Coston Steve Sawyer, and two sisters, Earline White and Marian Etheridge.
The family extends a special thank you to her caregivers, Mint Wiggins, Deborah Armstrong, Sandy James, Sophia Lee, Mary Davis, Lynnette Beasley, Marian Whidbee, Gleannie Burnham, Lucretia Holmes, Katina Harley, Mary Hinton, and Mia Roundtree.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 2, 2026, at Twiford Memorial Chapel with Pastor Joey Hobbs officiating. Burial will take place at West Lawn Cemetery. The family will greet family and friends immediately following the service at the funeral home. Mrs. Sawyer’s service will be live streamed on her obituary page at www.TwifordFH.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Corinth Baptist Church, 1035 Highway 17 South, Elizabeth City, NC 27909, or to Camp Cale, 377 Camp Cale Road, Hertford, NC 27944.
Twiford Funeral Homes, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC, is serving the Sawyer family.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.
