Marie Ruff Summey McSwain

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” This scripture from II Timothy speaks volumes of Marie R. Summey McSwain, 87, who passed away on Friday, May 20, 2016 at the Azalea Gardens Assisted Living Center in Hollywood, Florida. Marie was a longtime member of Long Creek Baptist Church in Dallas, North Carolina where she was heavily involved in many church activities and held several roles within the church along with being a member of the WMU. She made it her mission to often hand write notes and cards and mail them to her family, church family and friends. Marie had many friends in her work place and in her church. She was a very personable lady who worked with the public as a clerk in the delicatessen and was a cake decorator at Harris Teeter. And she loved to travel. A loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Marie was very proud of her family.

Marie was the daughter of the late Melvin Ruff and Lucille Peeler Ruff. She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Leroy Summey, the father of her children who passed away in 1984 and Alvin McSwain who was a loyal companion and mate to her; two children: Rhonda Kiser and Michael Summey; one grandson: Edward R. Straughan; one sister: Amelia Wells and two brothers: Richard Ruff and Danny Ruff.

Those left behind to cherish Marie’s memories and to follow in her footsteps are her daughter: Beth Baucom of Hollywood, Florida; her son: Kevin Summey and wife Sarah of Gastonia, North Carolina; seven grandchildren and several great grandchildren: one sister: Betty Bernasconi of Gastonia, North Carolina; two brothers and sisters in law: Charles and Elsie Ruff of Gastonia, North Carolina and James and Wilma Ruff of Dallas, North Carolina.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held 2:00 PM on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at Long Creek Baptist Church, 210 Long Creek Baptist Church Road, Dallas, North Carolina 28034 with Reverend Wayne Key to deliver words of comfort to the family and friends. Active pallbearers are Matthew Summey, Jeremiah Summey, Donnie Wells, Jerome Wells, Larry Norman and Justin Norman.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM prior to the service.

Graveside and committal service will follow in the Long Creek Baptist Church cemetery.

Those wishing to share words of sympathy and share fond memories are asked to visit Marie’s guestbook at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com

Carothers Funeral Home at Gaston Memorial Park is compassionately serving the family of Marie R. Summey McSwain.