Betty McSwain Way (91), of Oakland, TN, wife of Dr. John G. Way and widow of Charles Henry Schwam, Jr., died on October 25th. She was born on July 1, 1933 to the late John Albert McSwain and Louise Blanton McSwain of York, SC. After graduating from York High School in 1951, she worked for Ford Motor Company in Chicago as an administrative assistant while attending IBM's technical school. There she learned to operate its various computers and business machines. Later she was employed for 25 years as the Office Manger, Treasurer and comptroller at Patton & Taylor Construction Company in Germantown, TN where she retired in 1996.
In retirement she enjoyed family gatherings, Bible study, church activities, exercising, watercolor painting, cooking, playing on the computer, tending her flowers and visiting the beaches in Florida and South Carolina. Betty loved people and had a ready willingness to help others. She was known for her practicality, patience, and sweet disposition. She had been a member of Bellevue Baptist Church and a faithful member of Bellevue choir for many years. At the time of her passing she was a member of Faith Baptist Church and David Scott's Connection Bible Study Class.
She was preceded in death by her brother Frederick "Pete" McSwain and grandson Andrew J. Schwam. She is survived by her husband of the home; two sons, Thomas Steven Wood (Donna) of Oakland, TN and Charles Henry Schwam III (Melodie) of Piney Flats, TN, grandchildren, Steve Wood (Scott) of Raleigh, NC; Dana S. Fisher of Marco Island, FL; Savannah S. Stonebrook (Jordan) of Bartlett, TN; and six great-grandchildren, Gabriel Schwam, Sawyer Fisher, Delilah Fisher, Elijah Stonebrook, Noah Stonebrook, and Charlotte Schwam.
