Wanda Swain, age 78, passed away on November 14, 2016 following a brief illness. She was born and raised in Pontotoc, MS, and was the daughter of Herbert and Ruby McWhirter. Following graduation from Algoma High School she left Pontotoc and headed to Memphis at the young age of 17. She later graduated from Ittowamba Junior College in Fulton, MS and Mississippi College for Women (the “W”) in Columbus, MS with a business degree. Just after a short 10 years after moving to Memphis she married a young handsome Memphis lawyer and the love of her life, William R. Swain, Jr., on September 4, 1965.
The consummate businesswoman, her professional life including banking for First Tennessee, operations oversight for her husband’s law practice, partner in Progress Realty Company, and the founder and principal at Swain and Associate’s commercial collection agency. Wanda considered some of her most enjoyable moments those she spent travelling the world, often utilizing her pilot’s license to co-pilot for her husband as they flittered about the U.S. and Mexico, and time spent gardening, reading, playing bridge, investing, and spending time with family and friends.
Wanda leaves many beloved family members including husband Bill, daughters Teresa McGoldrick and Angela Finerson, grandson Thomas McGoldrick, son-in-law John Paul Finerson, Teresa’s boyfriend Philip, her sister Ruth Onsby, and her aunt Marie McWhirter. She will be remembered by all as a loving, caring, and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.
The family cordially invites friends to share remembrances of Mrs. Swain on Thursday, November 17th from 12 o’clock in the afternoon until 2 o’clock in the afternoon at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Ave. in Memphis. There will be a graveside service immediately following, directly across the street, at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. in Memphis.
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