Mrs. Janet Faye (Hensley) Sawyers, age 87, of Cross Plains, Indiana, entered this life on January 31, 1939 in Clay County, Kentucky. She was the loving daughter of the late Jonah “Joney” and Otha (Davidson) Hensley. She was raised in Manchester, Kentucky where she attended school and enjoyed being a cheerleader during her younger years. Growing up, Janet learned at an early age the importance of faith, family, hard work, and sacrifice. As a young girl, she watched her older brothers leave home to serve their country during wartime, and she faithfully lifted each of them up in prayer, asking the Lord to watch over them and bring them safely home. While her older sisters worked in the fields, Janet learned to cook at a young age, developing a love for preparing meals and caring for others that would remain with her throughout her lifetime. Even as a young child, Janet possessed a nurturing heart and a deep and abiding faith in the Lord that would become the very foundation of her life. She loved the Lord wholeheartedly and carried her faith into every aspect of her life. It was through their shared Christian faith that Janet met the love of her life, Billy Sawyers, in the parking lot of the Tanksley Holiness Church in Manchester, Kentucky. Little did they know this would be the beginning of a beautiful love story that would span more than seven decades. Janet and Billy were united in marriage on September 25, 1954 in Manchester, Kentucky. Their beautiful marriage of over 72 years was built upon a foundation of love, faith, devotion, and unwavering commitment to one another. This happy union was blessed with six children, Linda, Billy, Sandy, Don, Gary, and Tim. Together, Janet and Billy built a lifetime of precious memories, sharing the joys and challenges of raising their family and creating a loving home where family was always at the heart of everything they did. Janet’s Christian faith was an important part of her life and remained a guiding light throughout her years. During the cold winter of 1966, Janet made a heartfelt profession of her faith when she was baptized in the frozen waters of the Great Miami River in Hamilton, Ohio, with her loving family by her side. This special moment was a testament to her deep love for the Lord and the strong Christian values she carried throughout her life. Janet was a faithful member of the Delhi Christian Center in Delhi, Ohio, for 50 years, where she treasured the fellowship, worship, and friendships she shared with her church family. Throughout the years, Janet worked alongside her beloved husband as the bookkeeper for his business, Billy Sawyers Ceramic Tile and Marble, in Cincinnati, Ohio. During the years the family resided in the Frogtown community of Cleves, Ohio, where Janet became affectionately known as the “neighborhood mom.” Her home was much more than a place for her own family to gather; it was a place of comfort, warmth, and unconditional love for countless neighborhood children. Janet believed that no child should ever go hungry, feel unwanted, or go without the basic necessities of life. Her door was always open, and there was always room for one more at her table. Whether it meant preparing another meal, making sure a child had clean clothes, giving them a bath, or simply providing a safe and loving place to be, Janet never hesitated to lend a helping hand. She was truly the kind of woman who would give someone the shirt off her own back if they needed it. Her generous spirit and selfless acts of kindness left a lasting impression on the many lives she touched. To Janet, caring for others was not an obligation, but a natural expression of the love and Christian faith that filled her heart. In 1974, Janet and Billy purchased a farm in Cross Plains, Indiana, a special place that would eventually become their forever retirement home. Together, they fulfilled their dream of making a peaceful life in the country, surrounded by the beauty of the land and the family they loved so dearly. Their love of family was evident in the close-knit bond they shared, and after Janet and Billy established their forever home in Indiana, their family also made the decision to move closer to them. This was a true testament to the strong family ties and deep love that kept them all connected. Having her family nearby was one of Janet’s greatest blessings. In 2021, Janet and Billy became members of the Olive Branch Baptist Church in Bear Branch, Indiana, where they continued their Christian walk and enjoyed being part of a loving church family. Above all, Janet’s greatest joy in life was her family. She was a devoted wife, a loving and nurturing mother, a cherished grandmother, a dear sister, and aunt. She had a special way of showing her love through the little things she did each day, whether it was preparing a delicious home-cooked meal, baking something special, or simply spending precious time with those she held closest to her heart. She also enjoyed shopping and treasured the family gatherings, as well as, traveling with her husband. Her family was truly her world, and nothing brought her greater happiness than being surrounded by the people she loved. Janet leaves behind a beautiful legacy that cannot be measured in years alone, but in the countless lives she touched, the love she so freely gave, and the faith she passed down through the generations. Her family will forever cherish the precious memories, the lessons she taught, and the unconditional love that made their house a home. Janet passed away at 11:20 a.m., Wednesday, November 11, 2026, surrounded by her family at her residence in Cross Plains, Indiana.
Janet will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Billy Sawyers of Cross Plains, IN; her daughters and sons, Linda Thielen and her husband, Ron of Cross Plains, IN, Billy Sawyers and his wife, Terry of Lawrenceburg, IN, Sandy Monahan and her husband, Randy of Bennington, IN, Don Sawyers and his wife, Teresa of Cross Plains, IN, and Tim Sawyers of Harrison, OH; her grandchildren, Christina Saylor (Nick), Brian Sawyers (Laura), Jennifer Rider (Jim), Lee Sawyers (Danielle), Sandy McCarley (Sean), Roger Monahan (Michelle), Joshua Thielen (Caitlin), Ayrton Sawyers, Tyler Sawyers (Jenna), and Stephanie Thoma (Leon); her 23-great-grandchildren; her 6-great-great-grandchildren; her brothers, Sam Hensley, Logan Hensley and his wife, Peggy, and Jim Hensley and his wife, Judy; her sister, Bonnie Hendrix; and her several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her father, Jonah “Joney” Hensley, died March 27, 1970; her mother, Otha (Davidson) Hensley, died December 21, 1997; her son, Gary Lee “Gee” Sawyers, died August 30, 2024; her grandson, Brandon Scott Sawyers, died January 28, 2023; her daughter-in-law, Tracy B. (Meyers) Sawyers, died January 27, 2018; her infant sister, Eldridge Hensley; her sister, Zelma Hurd, Mae Martin, Anice Greer, Marggie Renner; her brothers, Jonah Hensley, Elmer Hensley, and Joe Hensley; her sisters-in-law, Peggy Hensley, Mathilde Hensley, Lois Hensley, Louise Hensley, Gertrude Hensley, Zella Hensley; her brothers-in-law, Floyd C. Hendrix, Jonah Hensley, Alfred Hurd, Matt Martin, James Greer, R.D. Renner.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Friday, November 20, 2026, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043 and from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Saturday, November 21, 2026, at the Olive Branch Baptist Church, 2250 Milton Bear Branch Road, Dillsboro, Indiana 47018.
Funeral services will be conducted at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, November 21, 2026, by Pastor Pat Lanman, at the Olive Branch Baptist Church, 2250 Milton Bear Branch Road, Dillsboro, Indiana 47018.
Interment will follow in the Olive Branch Baptist Church Cemetery in Bear Branch, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Olive Branch Baptist Church, 2250 Milton Bear Branch Road, Dillsboro, Indiana 47018 or Bear Branch Volunteer Fire Department, 2580 Milton Bear Branch Road, Dillsboro, Indiana 47018. Cards are available at the funeral home or online at www.haskellandmorrison.com