Viola McSwain Plante

GREENSBORO- Viola McSwain Plante passed on to her eternal life in heaven on January 23, 2022, surrounded by her loving children. She was born the ninth child, of eleven children, on September 24, 1923 to Joseph Amos and Leaka Watola McSwain in Rutherford County, NC. The family moved to Shelby, NC when she was a small child. She went to school at Shelby High, where she was an excellent student and Secretary of her graduating class. Upon graduation she was an administrative assistant before meeting staff sergeant Clarence Aldor “Frenchie” Plante during WW II when he was stationed in Spartanburg, SC. They were wed in Gaffney, SC and moved to Bethesda, MD where Frenchie was reassigned. Mother worked during the war effort building shelves for US warplanes before becoming pregnant with the first of ten children. Six of the children were born in Shelby and four were born in Greensboro.

Mother was one of the best guardian angels the Plante children could ever have with her ever embracing unconditional love. She believed very strongly in family, being a good Christian in the Faith, and volunteering in the community. She believed that it is far greater to give than to receive. She gave of herself, love and time to help others.

Mother greatly enjoyed spending time with her family. She was a loving, protective matriarch to her four sons, six daughters, 19 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, a loving daughter to her mother and father, a loving sister to her ten siblings, and wonderful aunt to many nephews, and nieces. She worked for many hours helping in the family church St. Benedict’s where the family were members since 1955. She volunteered at St. Pius X as a part of the “lunch bunch”, the Greensboro Historical Museum, Greensboro Urban Ministry Soup Kitchen, the Greensboro Franciscan Center, and the Catholic Daughters of America. On Sundays she would take her children to church filling the front pews that was followed by a large Sunday dinner prepared with love that included freshly made yeast rolls with real butter that would melt in the mouth. Our dad passed when mother was only 56 years old. Mother, after raising ten children, went to work at Belk’s China Dept in Carolina Circle Mall to support herself. Mother served as an example to her children that actions speak louder than words. Her children never had to go far looking for a warm embrace and unconditional love. Our sweet Mother will be missed by her loving family and friends.

Mother was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Teresa Plante Webb, grandson Chris Rinehart, 9 siblings, and is survived by her brother Jack McSwain of Jacksonville, FL, daughters Rita Rierson (Rob) of Sophia, Patty Brown (Gary) of Summerfield, Rose Plante Chrismon of Greensboro, Kathy Brewer of Colfax, Suzanne Plante of Charleston, SC, sons Rene Plante (Jean) of Holly Springs, NC, Robert Plante of Greensboro, Joe Plante (MaryAnn) of Summerfield, Paul Plante (Bonnie) of Greensboro, and 18 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

A memorial mass will be held at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church on Elm St. in Greensboro at 12:00 PM on February 3, 2022. Family will receive friends prior to the service at Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home (515 N Elm St. Greensboro, NC 27401) next to St. Benedict’s Church from 10-11:30 am. Memorials can be made in Viola Plante’s honor to Greensboro Urban Ministry; St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, Greensboro Franciscan Center.

Family would like to extend a deep gratitude to The Trauma unit of Cone Hospital and Hospice of the Triad.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com for the Plante family.