Joseph Gayden Swann Jr.

He was a graduate of Old Fort High School class of 1953 and Appalachian State University. He taught school in McDowell County for 31 years in the 7th and 8th grades, Media Center, and lastly Driver’s Education. During this time he worked part time for McCall-Kirksey Funeral Home. He became a licensed Funeral Director May 3, 1963, and began working full time at his retirement from the School System in 1988, retiring in March 2014.

He was an active member of the Old Fort First Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, former Sunday School teacher, and served on various committees. He was also a member of Joppa Masonic Lodge #401 in Old Fort, the Scottish Rite of Asheville, the Oasis Shrine, and the Marion Chapter #278 Order of the Eastern Star.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Margie Hemphill Swann; one daughter, Doris Swann Buttrell and husband, Bill of Wingate, NC; three grandchildren, Ryan Christenbury and wife, Sharol of Rock Hill, SC, Heather Buttrell and fiancé, Kevin Joyner of Monroe, NC, and Christine Oakes and husband, Colbey of Monroe, NC; two great-grandchildren, Camden and Claire Oakes; two cousins, Hannah Allen of Macon, GA and Kaye Meilinger of Salisbury, NC.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at Kirksey Funeral Home in Marion. A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, March 1, 2015 at the First Baptist Church of Old Fort with Reverends David Blackwelder and Tim Holland officiating. Burial will follow at McDowell Memorial Park in Marion.

Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to: The Shriner Children’s Hospital, in care of Mt. Mitchell Shrine Club, 773 Pepper’s Creek Rd, Marion, NC 28752.

Kirksey Funeral Home has the honor of serving the family. Words of comfort may be shared with the Swann family at www.kirkseyfhmarion.com.