DIANA MARIE SAWYERS

McKENZIE — Diana Marie Sawyers, 72, of McKenzie, Tenn., died on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Eiffel Gardens Assisted Living of Paris, after an extended battle with cancer.

Diana was born in Jeffersonville, Indiana, on May 3, 1954, to the late Charles Ernest Prinz, and the late Mabel Lauretta Alexander Prinz.

She married Bobby Kenneth Sawyers on May 3, 1980. Bobby preceded her in death on January 2, 2019.

Diana was a member of Long Street Methodist Church in New Johnsonville, Tenn. She worked as the regional seafood manager for E.W. James Grocery Stores. Diana was an avid Tennessee Vols fan and a devoted dog lover. She enjoyed making crafts and reading, especially science fiction books. She also loved watching science fiction movies.

She is survived by one son, Billy Ted Little of Greenfield, Tenn.; one brother, Stephen (Helen) Prinz of Knoxville, Tenn.; two grandchildren, Diana Amberleigh Denise Little and Kenneth Wilson Daniel Little; one great-grandchild, Billy Bo Jack Little; and special friends, Chris Laughlin Lewis, Jackie Witherspoon, and “Diana’s Angel” Brittany Stenberg.

Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap Street, Paris, TN, 38242, is handling the arrangements. 

Visitation is on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Ridgeway Funeral Home. A graveside service is at 2 p.m. at Carroll Memorial Gardens.

The family sends a special thank you to the staff at Eiffel Gardens, Cecelia, Debbie, Marie, Holly, and Patti; friends at Eiffel Gardens, Betty, Theresa, Pat, Laurie, and JoAnne; and the staff at Tennessee Quality Hospice, Kayla, Amanda, Lisa, and Bro. Brice Darnell.

Also, a special thank you to Diana’s longtime neighbors; Lee and Theresa Jones, and Steve Williams.