Beaufort Bryant "Bob" Sawyer, age 96, of Cochran passed away peacefully Saturday, June 10, 2023 surrounded by his family. Graveside services with military honors will be held Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 11:00 A. M. in the Roddy Community Cemetery, with Pastors Ritchie Johnson and Stephen White officiating. The oldest boy in a family of twelve children, "Mr. Bob" was born in Dodge county on October 12, 1926 and grew up in the Roddy community. He was the son of the late Beaufort and Lila Belflower Sawyer, and was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Latha Chance Sawyer. "Mr. Bob" was a man of strong Christian faith who dearly loved his family and his country. He was a member of Cochran First Baptist Church and former member of Roddy Baptist Church where he had served as a deacon. He was also a proud U.S. Veteran of three branches of military service and served his country faithfully. During WWII he joined the U. S. Merchant Marines where he attended the U.S. Coast Guard's Maritime Service Training Program in New York and sailed as a Seaman on the S. S. Joseph Priestley, a Liberty Ship serving in war zones for the U. S. Navy. He was later drafted to serve overseas in the newly formed U. S. Army-Air Force with recovery forces. After the war he continued to serve in the Army National Guard for 26 years and later also retired from Warner Robins Air Force Base after 37 years of service. Work ethic and service to others were always an important part of Bob's life. After retirement he continued to serve, including volunteering with Tuneful Tuesdays, Meals on Wheels and Bold Mission Builders. He also enjoyed numerous "Brothers' Trips" out west with his brothers, sons and nephews, and especially loved recalling their mule ride to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and overnight stay there. Gardening was a lifelong hobby and he had continued to grow vegetables in his raised-bed garden as a resident of At Home Senior Living in Cochran for the past four years. Also preceding him in death were three brothers and three sisters: Jim H. Sawyer, Tom Sawyer, W. L. "Strib" Sawyer, Opal Giddens, Zell Swan and Estelle Yearty. Survivors include: Children; Grandchildren; Brothers; Sisters; eleven Great-grandchildren; many beloved nieces and nephews, and a large extended family. The family will greet friends following the graveside service Tuesday and in lieu of flowers requests that memorial donations be made to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251.