Thelma Imogene "Jean" Sawrie

THELMA IMOGENE "JEAN" SAWRIE, age 90, of Little Rock, passed away Saturday, Oct. 5. She was born Sept. 25, 1923, in Delaware, Ark., to the late Jesse Andrew and Olivia Lea (Harrison) Wood. She married her late husband of 58 years, Richard Luther Sawrie, on Dec. 24, 1939, and settled with him in Little Rock, where they raised their six children. She was a life-long member of the Baptist faith. In addition to raising her children and participating in church activities, she was a successful business woman. For over 40 years, she owned businesses that specialized in flowers, weddings and formal wear. Jean was most devoted to her large and extended family. She was renowned for her cooking skills and everyone raved about her "chicken and dumplings." Her home was open every Sunday after church for Sunday lunch to any friends or family members that dropped in. She was preceded in death by her son Richard Alvin Sawrie; brothers, Wilson Wood, Paul Wood, J. L. Wood, Harrison Wood, Marshall Wood, David Wood and her sister, Melba Mitchell. She is survived by sisters, Shirley Davis of Russellville, Ark., Wilma Worwa of Little Rock; five children, Charles Sawrie (Cathy), William Jerry Sawrie (Teresa) of Russellville, Bettye Platt (Dr. Mike) of Rogers, Ark., Barbara Thalheimer (Bruce) and Martha Stephenson (Warren) of Little Rock. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, Brent Sawrie of Indian Wells, Calif., Scott Sawrie of Little Rock, Cindy Walker of Russellville, Brett Sawrie of Tulsa, Okla., Jennifer Platt of Pittsboro, N.C., Michael Platt Jr. of Alexandria, Va., Eleanor Thalheimer of Portland, Ore., Andrew Thalheimer of St. Louis, Mo., and Boyd Stephenson of Washington, D. C.; 11 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank her caregivers who allowed her to stay in her home until death. Visitation will be Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013, at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth. Funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Wednesday, in the chapel of Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, with Brother Bobby Creel officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Crest Memorial Park, under the direction of Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, 5800 W. 12th Street, Little Rock, Ark. 72204. 501-661-9111. Memorials may be made to Heritage Baptist Temple, 4910 Stagecoach, Little Rock, Ark. 72204; or a favorite charity. Please send Jean's family your messages of love, comfort and support to her online guestbook at www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.