Mary "Lib" Elizabeth Brinson

Mary Elizabeth “Lib” Sawyer Brinson, 84, of Arapahoe, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on December 1, 2016.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, George R. Brinson. She is also survived by two daughters, Angela Brinson Rea (David) and Jennifer Brinson Sadler (Andrew). Her grandchildren are Laura Rea Doxey (Ryan), Rebecca Rea Myers (Taylor), Jessica Sadler Padilla (Kelly), and Andrew Sadler, III (Courtney). Her great-grandchildren are Lila Doxey, Luke Doxey, Paige Myers, Jackson Sadler, and Scarlett Sadler. She is also survived by cousins and many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

She was born on August 31, 1932. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Daniel and Mary Sawyer, and sister, Gloria Sawyer Barrington.

Lib was a faithful member of Amity Christian Church, where she taught children’s Sunday School classes for over 30 years and sang in the choir for over 50 years. She participated in community Christmas and Easter cantatas with the Amity choir and was involved in all aspects of church fellowship and service. She especially loved serving as the director of Vacation Bible School for the Arapahoe churches each summer when it was Amity’s turn to host. She totally believed in the mission of Bible School and loved all of the planning and hard work involved in making it fun and successful for the children of her community. Always organized and helpful, she kept detailed notebooks of volunteers, schedules, and ideas to pass along to the next summer’s director to ensure that the rotation at the next church would run smoothly.

Lib graduated from East Carolina College in 1953 with a degree in elementary education and taught school for 31 years. She began her teaching career in New Bern City Schools, where she taught at Riverside, Central, and Oaks Road Elementary Schools. She then taught first grade (and sometimes and first/second grade combination classes) at Arapahoe Elementary School for the remainder of her career. She absolutely loved teaching school and adored her students. She was always excited as every new school year approached and could hardly wait to hear that opening bell ring on the first day of school.

She was a member of the Alpha Psi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional organization for women educators for 50 years. She made many lasting friendships through Alpha Psi, and enjoyed serving in various positions and assisting with service projects over the years.

Lib had boundless energy and her greatest joys in life were serving her Lord and providing a loving, welcoming home for her whole family. She loved cooking big family meals every night when her girls were young, and continued to have them and the grandchildren over for three meals a week, including Sunday “dinner” right after church. She is “Mama Lib” to her grandchildren and loved spending time with them. She often picked them up from school, helped them with homework, and hosted overnight or weekend visits almost every weekend when they were growing up.

Lib lived a life of quiet service, kindness, and hard work. She ended each day by curling up with a cup of coffee and a good book, followed by reading her Bible each night before bed.

Her funeral will be at 2:00 PM at Bryant Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 6. The family will receive friends at 12:30 PM at Bryant Funeral Home prior to the funeral. Burial will be at Amity Christian Church Cemetery immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials and donations may be made to Hospice of Pamlico County (P.O. Box 6, Bayboro, NC 28515) or to a charity of the donor’s choice.