Virginia 'Ginny' Saunders Sawyer, formerly of Du Quoin

Virginia "Ginny" Sawyer, named in this newspaper "one of the first ladies of Main Street," died at Presbyterian Homes in Louisville on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018.

She lived a remarkable life and saw the world change in some dramatic ways. She embraced and accepted them all and taught lots of us to do the same. Her ability to keep a positive attitude was nothing short of heroic and surpassed only by her ability to love.

She was born in St. John, Illinois, in 1919 to Oscar and Ada Brayfield Saunders, graduated from Du Quoin High School and married Bob Sawyer.

She was interior decorator and buyer for the Sawyer Paint and Wallpaper Store until 1965, when the family sold the business. Eventually, she and Bob bought back the paint store and ran it together until they retired.

After Bob died in 1991, she helped run the gift shop at Marshall Browning Hospital, traveled, and enjoyed friends and family. In 2008, she moved to Louisville to be close to family.

Her family, son David and his wife Deborah Fortel of Louisville, son Rick and his husband Bob Galloway of Knoxville, granddaughter Sarah of Boerne, Texas, grandson Dan and his wife Cate and great-grandsons Eli and Evan of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, are grateful for memories from her long and happy life.

A service in her memory will be held at Presbyterian Homes in Louisville on March 8. Her ashes will be interred at Sunset Memorial Park in Du Quoin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 10.

Friends and family will gather after the interment at Spirit of Life Christian Church, 720 N. Hickory Street. Memorials to Presbyterian Homes and Services of Kentucky Benevolent Care Fund (www.phsk.org).