Jean Parker Swafford

Jean Parker Swafford passed away peacefully on January 7, 2014 at home in West Palm Beach, Florida at the age of 91. She was born June 8, 1922 in Cincinnati, Ohio and lived for over 80 years in her beloved city of Chattanooga. She was predeceased by her parents Gertrude and Cliff Parker, her sister Betty Donaldson; her husband of fifty-one years, John Albert Swafford Jr. (Jack) and by her son, John Albert Swafford III (Jack). She is survived by two daughters, Sharon Wilson and her husband, Blaine of Orlando and Paula Graham of West Palm Beach; two daughters-in-law, Judy Swafford and Ann Waddey, six grandchildren, Chris Fisher, Julie Blackwell, Scott Swafford, Shari Bourg, Laurie Smith, Amy Sheehan and nine great-grandchildren, Drew and Christopher Blackwell, Grant and Andi Fisher, Brandon Sullivan, Ashley Smith, Parker, Mackenzie and Madison Sheehan. Jean was raised on Cameron Hill, attended City High School and worked for many years at Millers Department Store starting in the children’s shoe department and ending her long career there as the buyer for women’s sportswear. After her retirement, she volunteered weekly for over 20 years at Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation. She was a member of Brainerd United Methodist Church for over sixty years and attended The Episcopal Church of Bethesda By The Sea in Palm Beach after her move to Florida. She had many interests such as travel, handcrafts, the New York Times crossword puzzle and sewing but her main passion was playing bridge with her many wonderful and devoted friends. Jean was an accomplished, kind, smart, witty, adventurous and generous woman who leaves behind a legion of family and friends who will mourn her for many years to come. We are all blessed to have known her.

Funeral services will be held at 1 PM Monday at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road with Dr. Dennis Flaugher officiating. Burial will follow in Chattanooga National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2-5 PM Sunday and 12 - 1 PM Monday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to McKamey Animal Center 4500 N. Access Road, Chattanooga, TN 37415, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation, 1 Siskin Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37403.