Belva Collins Sawyer

          Belva Ann Collins Sawyer, 82, died Friday, July 18, 2025, after an illness.

          She was born in Barnwell, South Carolina, a daughter of the late Claude and Valoree Sanders Collins. 

          Belva was instrumental, along with Chris Yahnis, in founding The Yahnis Company, where she worked for 38 years until her retirement in 2004.  A cancer survivor, she retired after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

          She was an avid Carolina Gamecock football fan.  She was a faithful member of the Gamecock Club and season ticket holder for 38 years.

          Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Thomas E. “T” Sawyer, of the home; a daughter, Christy Young (Micah) and a son, Morty Sawyer, all of Florence; a sister, Joyce Cooper, of Springfield, SC; a brother, Wilmer Collins (Judy) of Barnwell, SC; special niece, Monica Meares (and her children, Manning and Madeline Meares), also of Florence; and two grandchildren, Thomas Young and Abbie Sawyer.

          She was predeceased by a sister, Linda Collins Still.

          A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 25, 2025, in the chapel of Waters-Powell Funeral Home.  The family will greet friends at the home of Christy and Micah Young.

          Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org.

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