Boyd Beamer Sawyer

Atlanta, GA- Boyd Blaydes Beamer Sawyer passed away on July 16, 2011 surrounded by her family in Atlanta, Georgia from complications of Alzheimer’s disease and pneumonia. She was 81 years old. Boyd was born on August 3, 1929 in Bluefield, West Virginia. She was the daughter of the late James Elliott and Mabel Hill Blaydes. Her father, Dr. Blaydes, was a renowned ophthalmologist and ear, nose and throat surgeon. Boyd grew up in Bluefield and later attended Ashley Hall boarding school in Charleston, South Carolina. She graduated from Duke University attaining a BA in English with a minor in History. Upon graduation, she pursued an advanced degree in the study of ocular misalignments, Orthoptics, in Boston, Massachusetts. Because of her expertise, Boyd was recruited by Dr. Richard Scobee of the Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, to help children with crossed eyes. While in St. Louis, she met her first husband, John Beamer. They had two daughters, Beth and Kim. Boyd was an accomplished professional and a loving mother who was full of passion and humor. She loved acting, performing in local Atlanta plays, writing short stories, reading historical novels, the decorative arts and debating current topics in study clubs. She had a special interest in antiques and was an antique dealer with shops in Buckhead and Vinings in Atlanta. Boyd returned to graduate school at the age of 58, graduating from Dartmouth College with a master’s degree in Journalism. In 1992, she married Hugh L. Sawyer, Sr. and spent many happy years before his death in 2008. Boyd is survived by her daughters Elizabeth Davenport of McDonough, Georgia, Kim Olsoni of Lake Oswego, Oregon and her brother, Dr. Elliott Blaydes of Bluefield. She is also survived by her step children Hugh Sawyer, Jr., Anne Sawyer and Frederica Sawyer, her grandchildren John Olsoni, Nathan Davenport, Elspeth Sawyer, Alice Sawyer, Russell Mallette, A. Landon Sawyer, and her son-in-law Karl Olsoni. Boyd’s sister Nancy Blaydes Pride preceded her in death. There will be a visitation on Thursday, July 21, 2011 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm at the Mercer Funeral Home in Bluefield, West Virginia. A private burial officiated by Pastor Tim Havens of Westminster Presbyterian Church will be at Monte Vista Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Emory Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, c/o Emory University Health Sciences Development, 1440 Clifton Road, Suite 112, Atlanta, GA 30322. Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Boyd Blaydes Beamer Sawyer.

Boyd Beamer Sawyer

August 3, 1929 - July 16, 2011