Thelma Irene Sawyer Hill

Thelma Irene Sawyer Hill, age 96, entered her Heavenly Home on September 8, 2026 from TerraBella Assisted Living and Memory Care in Rock Hill, SC.

Thelma was born on August 25, 1930 to Carson and Fannie Pierce Sawyer, the first of five siblings. She attended Pilgrim Bible College in Kernersville, N.C, and Greenville College (now Greenville University) in Greenville, Illinois where she received her Bachelor of Education. Thelma met David, her future husband and love of her life, while attending Pilgrim Bible College.

After marriage and graduation from college, she and her husband taught for a short time in Greensboro, NC where their daughter, Pam was born. From North Carolina, they, accepted an appointment to teach at All Tribes Indian Mission School in Bernalillo, New Mexico, where their second child Randy, was born. Later, they accepted teaching positions with the US Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), to teach first in Alaska and eventually in Arizona, where they lived for 35 years. After retirement, Thelma and David moved to Lancaster, SC to be near their daughter Pam.

Thelma gave her heart to her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ at an early age and continued her faithful ministry through service wherever she lived. That service included faithful prayer, teaching Sunday School classes and support of her local church. Those churches included Wesleyan, Free Methodist and finally Sonlight Nazarene Church in Lancaster, SC.

Thelma was raised on a farm and inherited a love for the soil. She planted flowers and vegetable gardens wherever her family resided. She also loved to bake, and her family and friends enjoyed her specialties including chocolate cheesecake.

In addition to her parents, Thelma was preceded in death by her husband, David Hill, brother Webster Sawyer and sisters, Rachel Dickens and Mildred Sawyer.

She is survived by her children Pamela H. Armour of Waxhaw, NC and Randy Hill (Tanya) of Honor, MI; 6 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; and sister Judy Sawyer French (Larry) of Rock Hill, SC.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 11:00 am at the Midway Wesleyan Church Cemetery, 331 Worthville Road in Randleman with Rev. Arnold Luther officiating.

Memorials may be made to JAARS, P.O. Box 248, Waxhaw, NC 28173-0248 https://give.jaars.org/ or Midway Wesleyan Church Cemetery Fund, 331 Worthville Rd., Randleman, NC 27317

Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro is honored to be serving the Hill family.