Charles "Cotton" R. Sayre

Charles “Cotton” Sayre

Charles “Cotton” R. Sayre, age 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 1 at Camden Clark Memorial Hospital in Parkersburg, surrounded by his loved ones.

He was born January 30, 1943 in Cottageville, West Virginia, to the late Millard “Bud” Sayre and Edith Sayre Durst. He attended Ravenswood High School. Cotton was employed by Jerry’s Discount Tire Center in Vienna for many years, prior to working at Ravens Metal Products of Elizabeth, and finished his career as a Purchasing Agent for Plasma Processing.

He was a beloved husband, father, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother, and friend to so many. He was an active member of Camden Avenue Church of Christ.

He began a family legacy of dirt track racing at the age of 16, with a 1937 Chevy coup that he built with the neighborhood boys. He has driven a variety of racing classes over the years and has sported many numbers as well, most notably the number 27. He found Victory Lane numerous times, developing a fan base and leaving a mark on the history of all the local dirt tracks. His love for the sport never faded, as you could always find him cheering on his son, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at the tracks.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert Ely, and sisters Margaret Baxter and Patricia “Tiny” McConaha.

He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Patty Florence Sayre; sister Shirley Brown (Pat), sister Dotty Schafstall (Pat); son Chuck Sayre (Renee), daughter Penny Spaur (Rick), son Rod Sayre (Amy), daughter Angie Diconcilis (Chris); grandchildren Brittany Breeden (Kyle), Brennan Sayre (Tierney), Bryce Sayre, Josh Spaur (Heather), Jayson Spaur (Lindsey), Jocelynn Slayton (John), Madison Shockey (Noah), Breanna Daggett (Jeremy), Nick Diconcilis (Gianna), Lidia Diconcilis; and several great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be on Wednesday from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 at Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home on 2333 Pike St in south Parkersburg, WV, and funeral services will be on Thursday at Camden Avenue Church of Christ, 2900 Camden Ave, Parkersburg, at 1 pm with visitation beginning at 11 am. Interment will follow at Mt Olivet Cemetery in Parkersburg. Evangelist Doug Wells and nephew Pastor Rob Ely will be officiating.

Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home is honored to serve the Sayre family.