Sawyer was born in Glasgow, Kentucky, the daughter of Jean W, an elementary school teacher, and Erbon Powers "Tom" Sawyer, a judge.Soon after her birth, her family moved to Louisville, where her father rose to local prominence as a Republican politician and community leader; he was the Jefferson County Judge/Executive when he was killed in a car accident on Louisville's Interstate 64 in 1969 while still in office. E. P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park, located in the Frey's Hill area of Louisville, is named in his honor.
