Obituary of Janice Marie Long

Janice Marie Sawyer Long, age 69 of Boone, passed through Heaven's gates on August 20, 2022, after a bravely fighting COPD and Renal Failure for a long twelve years. Janice was born on February 5, 1953, in Petersburg, Va., to the late SSG John R. Sawyer, Sr. and Joyce Ann Sawyer. She obtained her bachelor's degree in nursing and worked as a registered nurse at W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury, NC until her health declined and she moved back to the mountains to be closer to family. Janice loved to crochet and share her faith and love of Jesus. She made and gifted many beautiful prayer shawls and blankets to her dialysis family, friends, and caretakers. Janice could be very stubborn and demanding at times but had strength, endurance and will power that far exceeded the average person. Through her illness she was able to inspire and touch many lives in a positive way. She will be missed by her family and friends. In addition to her parents, Janice is predeceased by her husband, Robert Long and her sister Linda Sawyer Trivette. Janice leaves behind her son, Michael Long; two sisters, Myra Wilkerson and husband Ron, and Georgia McLean and husband Joey, two brothers; John R. Sawyer, Jr. and wife Donna, and Robert Sawyer and wife Heather, her brother-in-law Gary Trivette, special niece Myranda Trivette as well as several other nieces, nephews, and friends. A private celebration of life will be held at a later time for the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to your local Human Society in honor of her love of animals. Online condolences may be shared with the family at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Long family.