Joe was born in Iredell County, Sept. 17, 1933, the son of the late S.G. and Lois Yates Swann.
He attended Cool Springs High School, attended one year at Mars Hill College before being drafted near the end of the Korean War. He served on active and then reserve duty with the U.S. Marine Corps. After his military service, he graduated from North Carolina State University.
While serving as an usher, he met bridesmaid, Marjorie Alice Stevenson August 20, 1951 at the wedding of his sister, Marie to Joe's friend, Jack Hendrix. Joe and Marjorie married June 14, 1956 and lived briefly in Raleigh and Greensboro before moving back to Iredell County.
Joe loved his family, woodworking, gardening, and reading, especially historical and classical fiction.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Alice Swann of Goldsboro; brother, Clyde Swann (Norma) of Burgaw; and grandchild, Erika Swann.
Surviving him are his wife, Marjorie of the home; four children, Debi Francis (James) of Waynesville, Cynthia McGee (Barry) of Winston-Salem, David Swann of the home, and Becky Shive (Chuck) of Stony Point; grandchildren, Alexa Swann, Laura McGee, Andy Shive, Kyle McGee, Corey Shive and Monica Swann; great-grandchild, Marcella Sharpe; and one sister, Sue Brown of Greensboro.
The funeral will be held Tuesday, March 19, at 1 p.m., at Concord Presbyterian Church. Following the burial in the church cemetery, the family will receive visitors in the fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the ALS Association, North Carolina Chapter, 4 N. Blount St., Ste 200, Raleigh, NC 27601.
Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements for Joseph Swann.
