Carrie Elliott Swanson

In December 1953, three days after the world marked the celebration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the heavens smiled on the Elliott household with the birth of another baby girl, Carrie. She was named after her mother and was the 6th child born to the union of Willie and Carrie Elliott in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

From a young child, Carrie always loved learning and sought knowledge. She loved to read books and all the subjects in school. She never liked to work in the fields in Alabama, so her older brother Jimmy would do extra work on the farm so she could keep reading. Carrie was beloved by her parents and siblings and was a delight in the Elliott household. Because of her kind, gentle nature and listening ear, many saw her as the go-to person for advice.

After graduating from Riverside High School with honors, Carrie packed up and headed to Huntsville, where she attended Alabama A&M University. This decision would change the course of her life.

At Alabama A&M University, she met engineering student Reginald Swanson when she and her college roommates needed a ride to a fast-food restaurant. Reginald had a car and agreed to take them in exchange for gas money. By his account, he never received that gas money, but he got something priceless instead. He met the love of his life. Carrie graduated from Alabama A&M University, cume laude, with a degree in education. In 1976, she married her college sweetheart, Reginald Swanson, and the couple settled in New Orleans. On June 19, 2026, they celebrated 50 years of marriage. It was a fruitful union of partnership and friendship. Together they raised their two children, Brian Elliott Swanson and Regina Marie Swanson.

She poured herself into motherhood and made sure her children were reared in the way of Holiness. They attended Sunday School each week and were active in the church. She was a sweet and nurturing mother, but she was strict. As an educator, she held her children to high standards. She often pulled out her red pen to check homework. She never gave in to the trends, and if you spent any time at her home or spent the night, you knew you were going to church.

Her teaching career started in 1977 when she was hired as a long-term substitute in Orleans Parish Public Schools. She taught a class of students who had been labeled as having “behavior disorders” with no assistant and no provisions. But God used her to reach the children that others had written off. By Christmas break, her evaluation was so good that her supervisor requested she receive the full teacher salary and made sure she was on the payroll.

Teaching was where she thrived. She could reach students who had limited expectations of themselves and from others. Those were her favorites. In many cases, and by many metrics, she helped her students achieve higher test scores than students in regular education classrooms.

Her first full-time teaching job was at Andrew J. Bell Junior High School, in Treme, where she taught for 10 years. She later taught at L. B. Landry and O. Perry Walker High Schools in Algiers. After Hurricane Katrina, she taught at John Ehert High School until she retired in 2010. After 33 and a half years of dedicated service to children in the community, she retired with many teaching accomplishments, including 3 Teacher of the Year awards.

When Carrie and her young family settled in New Orleans, she felt like something was missing. She wanted a church home in her new town. While searching for a nursery school for Brian, God led her to Thompson Temple Daycare Center, which became another life-changing moment. After meeting the daycare center's owner, Carrie Brown Thompson, she was impressed and intrigued. Missionary Thompson invited her to church.

Carrie visited Thompson Temple alone one Sunday, and she heard the voice of Superintendent Joseph Anthony Thompson. She said his voice was different from any other preacher she had ever heard. The sermon that day was “The Goodness of God leadth to Repentance.” She believed that message was meant especially for her. That day, she found what she had been searching for. Her spirit felt at home. She accepted the Lord Jesus as her Savior and was soon after filled with the Holy Ghost. She had a new dance in her feet and a new song in her heart. She has been a faithful member of Thompson Temple COGIC for more than 45 years under the leadership of the late Bishop Joseph Anthony Thompson and currently under Superintendent Keith E. Thornton, Sr.

In her own testimony, she says he has not been the same since the day of her salvation. From that day forward, she surrendered all her life wholly to the will of God. She humbled herself to learn the way of Holiness. She learned from First Lady Carrie Brown Thompson, by precept and example. She was taught how to minister to God’s people, how to pray, the purpose of fasting and consecration, and why it was important to be filled with the Holy Ghost. She chose to obey the word of God, which sanctified her, set her apart, and put joy in her soul and peace in her mind. She was also under the tutelage of Mother Ethel Henderson, and she later became the tutor to many other women. The older women in Holiness taught her the principles of a Sanctified life and laid the foundation for a life of service to the Kingdom of God.

Carrie, without hesitation, began quickly to do as she was taught. Whatever her hands found to do, she did it unto the Lord. She believed church activities gave believers life and made them responsible and accountable to the ministry.

She knew that the harvest was ripe, but the laborers are few. She used her professional skills and experience as an educator to work with the young people of Thompson Temple Church of God in Christ. She served for many years as a Sunday School teacher, Purity Class president, Education Board chair, facilitator of Wednesday Night Bible Study, and president of the Missionary Circle. Missionary Swanson taught and influenced hundreds of your people as she nurtured and encouraged them. At the District level, she served as the Purity Class president and District Chairlady.

At the Jurisdictional level, Missionary Swanson served as the founding Director and Queen of the Boys and Girls of Distinction, which focused on Scholastic Motivation Ministry under the leadership of the late Bishop J. A. Thompson, President. She also served as the President of the Scholarship Foundation, Purity Class president, and, with the Department of Women, a member of the Examination Board. Under the leadership of Bishop George Albert, Jr., she continued to serve as the president of the Purity Class with the Department of Women and a member of the first Administrative Team to the Bishop. Under the leadership of Bishop Gerald Hawkins, Sr., she continued to serve as a member of the Administrative Team and Purity Class president. Missionary Swanson was appointed as the president of the Missionary Circle, Aspiring Missionary president, Examination Board president, and a member of the Jurisdictional Department of Women Executive Committee. In 2026, Missionary Swanson was appointed as District Missionary by Superintendent Keith E. Thornton, Sr., and in March 2026 she was consecrated and installed as a District Missionary of the J. A. Thompson Memorial District by Supervisor of Women, Mother Queen Nard.

Beyond her service to the ministry, she was an inviting spirit. She never considered a person’s title, position, or status; she only saw souls she could help bring to Christ, sharing the good news of the gospel through her personal testimony, acts of love, care, and compassion, and serving as a witness for the true and living God. Her best approach to sharing her faith was living a godly life. Her kindness and character let her light shine so others could see His love in action.

She was authentic and built relationships with people in this church. She invested her time, talents, and treasure in the saints of God. She always had an encouraging word.

She was never afraid to give her own testimony of being redeemed by God’s grace and mercy. She had spiritual boldness and often said what the Spirit led her to say. She had wisdom and discernment.

She wore many hats over the years and held many titles; perhaps the one she loved most was the one she earned 9 years ago when she became CC. She loved her grandchildren Willie and Elle with passion. She made sure they knew it. Often spoiling them with goodies and treats she kept in a special drawer by her bedside. She took the time to pray with them and for them. They loved to cuddle up in CC’s lap or in her bed. She was not able to go places with them, so she made sure her home was full of laughter and memories.

She was a powerful woman. Her life is a testimony to how one woman can impact generations. She was a woman of God and sowed into the youth both inside and outside of the church. She was a prayer warrior, motivator, encourager, and innovator in the ministry. Even as her health declined, she still thought of ways to expand the church's ministry to meet the needs of more people in the community. Her mind was willing, but her body was declining. On August 10, she answered God's call to eternal life. To be absent from the body is to be present with the lord.

May her life and her good works be remembered and carried on by all whom she touched, influenced, impacted, and loved.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Carrie Elliott. Three siblings: Jerry Elliott (Gewn), Jimmy Elliott and Virginia Henley.

She leaves to mourn her passing her devoted husband of 50 years, Reginald Swanson. Children: Brian Elliott Swanson and Regina Marie Swanson (Willie); grandchildren: Willie Gray Jr. and Elliott Swanson Gray; siblings: Willie Mae Thompson, Roland Elliot Sr. (Mary), Rev. Mimmie Elliott, Carl Elliott (Shay). Best friend: Mother Queen Brumfield Nard; Sister/Friend: Mother Pamela T. Holmes; host of nieces, nephews, godchildren, saints, and friends.

Relatives and friend are invited to attend the Funeral Services at Thompson Temple Church of God in Christ, 1515 Whitney Avenue, Gretna, LA 70053 on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 11:00 AM. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM until service time. Interment will be private. To view and sign the Family’s online Guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Thompson Temple Church of God in Christ Scholarship Fund in her honor. Donations can be made at any Chase Bank or Zelle to [email protected].