Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

June 23, 2018

CHARLOTTE – Deven Lewis Sawyer, 17, of Charlotte, NC, passed away on June 23, 2018 due to complications following a bus accident in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Deven was born on July 10, 2000, in Nashville, TN, to parents Steve and Smita Sawyer. He was a Providence Day School “lifer,” attending the school from kindergarten through eleventh grade. During his time there, he was a member of the Varsity tennis team, a Charger House volunteer, and a Student Alumni Ambassador. His years as a camper at Green River Preserve and his leadership position at Kumon Tutoring Center were equally important in his life. Deven was an avid Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers fan, and his passion for the sport carried over into all realms of his life. 

However, it was Deven’s strong moral character that will leave an everlasting impact on this earth. Deven was a quiet force whose compassion always led him to see the good in everyone, even when others could not. Those close to Deven often joked about being annoyed because Deven’s kindness made everyone else look bad. He was truly a warm-hearted soul who always found ways to put others’ needs before his own. Family and friends were of the utmost importance to Deven, and this was evidenced by the fact that he had the same core group of friends throughout his life. A loyal son, brother, and friend, he was an ardent protector of those he held close to his heart. When faced with adversity, he never gave up, for Deven was a fighter, and he left this earth with that same tenacious spirit. 

As the oldest of ten cousins, Deven was a role model, playmate, and mentor. His kindness and gentle spirit allowed him to relate to people of all ages. Being only seventeen months apart in age, Deven and his brother, Dillon, never knew a life without each other. Dillon loved to be with his brother and considered him one of the most lovable and empathetic people he has ever known. Everyone who saw them together enjoyed their goofy interactions and the way they both teased and supported each other. His young cousins looked up to him (literally) as he joked, made silly faces, tossed them into the air, and dazzled them with his lightsaber fighting abilities. Deven’s appetite for laughter at family gatherings was only matched by his appetite for blackberries, spinach dip, and mint chocolate chip ice cream. 

Deven had a rich sense of humor, and he would want all who remember him to do so with a smile. Being the proactive individual that he was, Deven had already decided on his senior yearbook quote: In the immortal words of The Office’s Dwight K. Schrute, “Whenever I'm about to do something, I think, ‘Would an idiot do that?’ And if they would, I do not do that thing.” 

Deven is survived by his parents, Steve and Smita; his brother, Dillon; his paternal grandparents, Phil and Sara Sawyer; his maternal grandmother, Usha Aryal; his aunts and uncles, Prashanti Aryal and Ashok Cattamanchi, Ashish and Allison Aryal, Anuj and Tia Aryal, Laura and Brad Seigel; his cousins Surya, Anisha, Lola, Zoe, Eva, Owen, Claire, Sam, and Ben; and his beloved pet pug, Yoda. He is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Shakti Aryal. 

Funeral services for Deven will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, 2501 Oxford Place, Charlotte, NC 28207.  Deven will lie in repose at the church an hour prior to the service. A reception will immediately follow the funeral service in Oxford Hall. 

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given to support the Deven Sawyer Memorial Fund at Providence Day School via www.ProvidenceDay.org/MemorialFund or c/o Providence Day School, 5800 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC 28270. 

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.