Wanda Cox

Wanda Fay Sawyer Cox, 76, of Kingsport, went home to be with her Lord on Saturday morning, May 7, 2016, unexpectedly at her home, after a slow decline in her health. She was born on September 7, 1939 in Sullivan County to parents, Clyde and Ida Hite Sawyer. Wanda graduated from Sulphur Springs High School Class of 1957, and married her high school sweetheart, Carl Junior Cox in 1958. After his retirement, they travelled all over the United States and Canada. Wanda and Carl worked side by side on their family farm for 44 years before he passed away in April 2002. She was a charter member of Calvary Free Will Baptist Church and had served as treasurer for many years before her health began to fail. Wanda loved her dog Lulu, going out to eat, her church, and her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Ida Hite Sawyer; husband, Carl Junior Cox; son, Keith Aaron Cox in 2000; and brother, Gary N. Sawyer. We rejoice to know that she has been reunited with them in heaven.

Wanda is survived by her daughter, Donna Cox Briggs and husband Mike of Kingsport; son, Jeffrey Cox of McLeansville, North Carolina; granddaughter, Heather Swiney and husband Jason; grandson, Jason Spoon; great-granddaughter, Belle Ford; great-grandsons, Cameron Church and Brandon Spoon; brother, Fred Sawyer and wife Janette; several nephews; aunt, Biddy Bailey; sister-in-law, Virginia Ruth Cox; her caregiver, Jane Musser; cousin, Janice Troxell; and dearest friends, Al Bouldin, Larry and Alice Bales, and Matthew Pate.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, May 9, 2016 at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport. The funeral service will follow at 8 p.m. with Pastor Dewey Shaffer and Rev. Joe Trent officiating.

Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Tuesday at East Tennessee Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Al Bouldin, Gary Sawyer, Jr., Landon Sawyer, Chip Sawyer, Matthew Pate, and Jason Swiney. Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Sawyer and Glenn Land.