Connie Harris Swett

Cornelia Harris Swett, affectionately known as “Connie” to all who knew and loved her, entered into the presence of her Savior after a life filled with music, faith, and joy. Born on May 29, 1938, in Jonesboro, Tennessee, to Imogene Bullen Harris and the Reverend Ray F. Harris, Connie lived each day with a song in her heart and a smile on her face.

A graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan College in Athens, TN, Connie’s love for music—and for the man who would become her life partner—blossomed in the school choir, where she sang alto and Dick Swett sang bass. Upon graduation, Connie served as Christian Education Director at First Methodist Church in Cleveland, TN. She and Dick were married on July 1, 1961, beginning a loving partnership that lasted a lifetime.

From 1962 to 1977, Connie and Dick lived in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Tennessee. Connie taught piano lessons and continued her own studies at the Silvermine School of Music in Norwalk. In 1977, they settled in Memphis, where Connie’s passion for music education flourished. She served as president of the Greater Memphis Music Teachers Association (GMMTA), state president of the Independent Music Teachers group, president of the Young Peoples Concert Competition, and founder of the Piano Practice-A-Thon, which raised more than $10,000 for music education.

In 1995, Connie and Dick began spending winters on the boat they bought in Florida. They moved full-time to Punta Gorda in 1999, where Connie served as president of Friends of Music, was a charter member of Phantoms of the Orchestra, and received the Charlotte County Arts & Humanities Award for Volunteerism in 2009.

When they returned to Memphis in 2013, Connie once again poured herself into both her church and the music community. She became an active member of Collierville United Methodist Church and returned to GMMTA, encouraging and mentoring younger music teachers to help them inspire the next generation of students.

Connie often said, “To teach is to touch a life forever.” In her own words, “I thank my parents for their spiritual guidance. When I accepted Christ into my life, I said, ‘I want to be your girl.’ I love Jesus. His life and love show us how to live our lives.”

She is survived by her devoted husband of 64 years, Dick; daughter Kimberly Jean Watson (Ira); grandchildren Christopher Watson and Crystal Moffett (Joey); great-granddaughter Lillian Grace Moffett; and sister Glenna Zoe Gumm.

A memorial service will be held September, 22, 2025 at 2:00p.m. at Collierville United Methodist Church Sanctuary on the Square. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in her memory to the CUMC Children’s Music Program in care of Collierville United Methodist Church, 454 W. Poplar, Collierville TN 38017.