Eula Swofford

Mrs. Eula M. Lowery Swofford, 90, died Thursday, July 7, 2011, at McDowell Hospital in Marion. A funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, July 10, 2011, at Concord Methodist Church in Ashford, with the Rev. Chester West presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

She was born June, 26, 1921, in McDowell County, the first child of Lillie Bertie Willis Lowery and Joseph Dewey Lowery.

Always an avid reader and learner, she graduated valedictorian of her class at Pleasant Gardens High School.

She married the love of her life, John Leonard Swofford, on February 16, 1940 – a marriage that lasted 54 years, until his death in 1994.

She was devoted to her family, community and church, and was a dedicated and tireless advocate for education and the improvement of North Cove School – the community school with grades one through twelve at that time in northern McDowell County.

She chaired the local school board and presided over the Parent Teachers Association. She was a “grade mother” for the primary and elementary grades, and served as a substitute teacher. She and Leonard searched for and recruited teachers, principals and basketball coaches for the school. For years, they transported members of the girls and boys basketball teams to and from games throughout the county and beyond.

She was also strongly supportive of the 4-H Club and local Boy Scout troop, and any other organization or activity her sons were involved in. She worked in the front office of the American Thread Co. in Sevier to help pay for their college educations.

She served as president and held other offices in the local Home Demonstration Club, and taught Sunday School at Concord United Methodist Church for many years.

Survivors include her sons, Leonard Stanley Swofford of Greensboro and Ronald Lee Swofford of Atlanta, Ga.; daughters-in law, Kay H. Swofford of Greensboro and Joyce C. Swofford of Atlanta, Ga.; grandchildren, Katherine H. Swofford and Andrew C. Swofford of Greensboro, John Swofford of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Matthew Swofford, Thomas Swofford and Henry Swofford, all of Atlanta, Ga.; sisters, Ola Faye Lowery Hennessee of Valdese, Lillian Lowery Kincaid of Morganton, Lois Lowery Jensen of Astutula, Fla.; brothers, Robert Vernon Lowery of Greenfield, Tenn., and Eugene Lowery of Pontiac, Mich.

She was preceded in death by four brothers, Albert Ray Lowery, John Lester Lowery, Arthur Lowery, and Virgil Dewey Lowery, and a sister, Ora Jane Lowery Orr.

Immediate family members would like to thank the staff of Autumn Care of Marion for the excellent care their mother received during the past several years.

Words of comfort may be shared with the Swofford family at www.kirkseyfhmarion.com