Edgar Thornton “E.T.” Sawyer Jr. | Eastern NC Now

    Mr. Edgar Thornton "E.T." Sawyer, Jr., age 82, a resident of Pantego, NC died Wednesday February 11, 2026, at the ECU Medical Center, Beaufort Campus in Washington.

    A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Jones-Russ Cemetery officiated by Pastor Maggie Simpenknee-Mensa.

    Mr. E.T. was born in Beaufort County on October 12, 1943, son of the late Edgar T. Sawyer Sr. and the late Mary Clyde Boyd Sawyer. He was a graduate of Bath High School and continued his education at East Carolina College where he completed his BS in Accounting. On December 27, 1964, he married the former Katie Mae Chambers who preceded him in death on February 21, 2012. On September 30, 2017, he married the former Peggy Pittman Adams who survives. During his working career he worked as an accountant and was owner of Belhaven Crab & Eel. Mr. E.T. was an avid coon and bear hunter who also loved fishing. He attended New Hope Church of Christ in Pantego.

    Surviving along with his wife Peggy are his children: Edgar "Thornton" Sawyer III and his wife Angela of Bath, Neal Sawyer and his companion Jennifer Jackson of Pantego, Loyd Sawyer and his wife Andrea Brinn Sawyer of Colonial Heights, VA and Angie Whitehurst and her husband Coy of Stokes; two brothers: Tom Sawyer of Jamesville, and Kenneth Sawyer and his wife Jennifer of Hoschton, GA; a sister: Jean Sawyer Askew of Plymouth; and six grandchildren: Ashley Sawyer, Braxton Sawyer, Samantha Sawyer Nelson and her husband Josh, Caleb Sawyer, Noah Sawyer and Carter Gann. He was preceded in death, along with his parents and first wife by: his sister, Peggy Sawyer Lee, his sister-in-law, Rhonda and his brother-in-law, Glenn.

    In lieu of flowers the family kindly asks for memorial contributions to be made to the Betsy Bailey Nelson Animal Shelter, 3931 US Hwy 264 East, Washington, NC 27889.

    Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

    Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve E.T.'s family.