By Staff
Mrs. Marion Whichard Swanner, formerly of 14532 Hwy. 32 North, Pinetown, NC died peacefully at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Linda Swanner at 4378 Hwy. 92 East, Bath, NC on Thursday October 21, 2010 where she had been residing for the past five years. She was 85 years old.
The family will receive friends 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Saturday October 23, 2010 at Paul Funeral Home in Washington.
Funeral services and a celebration of Mrs. Marion’s life will be held 11:00 a.m. Sunday October 24, 2010 at Five Points Free Will Baptist Church located on NC Hwy. 32, Washington officiated by Rev. Tom Lilly and David Young. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery. Joey Swanner, Mark Bowen, Larry Boyd, Wade Biggs, Mark Boyd and Merlon Midgette will serve as pallbearers. Michael Swanner, II and Kevin Swanner will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Mrs. Swanner was born October 1, 1925 in Pitt County to the late Kenneth Paul Whichard and Rosa Melissa Vainwright Whichard. She graduated from Chicod High School as salutatorian of her class. Just after graduation, she met James William Swanner, Sr. at her grandmother, Bertie Whichard’s boarding house in Grimesland, NC where he was working on a highway building crew. Mr. Swanner was called to the U.S. Army in the service of his country and she went to work as a telephone operator in Williamsburg, VA as part of the war effort. She re-connected with the love of her life, James William Swanner and they were married on October 17, 1945. They resided in Pinetown, NC their entire married life. Mr. Swanner predeceased Mrs. Swanner on October 11, 1996.
Mrs. Swanner was a dedicated member of Five Points Free Will Baptist Church. She was a charter member of the church, a former primary Sunday School teacher, the reporter of the Ladies Auxiliary, church reporter and church photographer. She was a member of the Pinetown Ruritan Club and served as secretary of the Beaufort County Homemakers Extension Club and member for 55 years, and secretary and a long dedicated member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
She did not work away from home except on the farm but was your "Friendly Fuller Brush Lady." She found a great deal of pleasure of being a photographer for many church and civic activities and professional cake decorating for many years.
Mrs. Swanner is survived by two sons: Michael Jay "Mike" Swanner, Sr. and his wife, Linda of Bath, NC, James William Swanner, Jr. and his wife, Brenda of Plymouth, NC; two sisters: Betsy Lou Whichard of Stantonsburg, NC and Jane Whichard McRoy of Chocowinity, NC; two brothers: Kenneth Paul Whichard, Jr. and wife, Coral of Greenville, NC and Haywood Earl Whichard and wife, Angela of Raleigh, NC. Her grandchildren whom she loved very much, one granddaughter, Pamela Swanner Williams and her husband, Layne of Greenville, NC; three grandsons: Kevin Swanner and his wife, Gina of Bear Grass, Michael Swanner, II of Bath and Joey Lyn Swanner of Bath, NC; four great grandchildren, Tanner Keaton Williams and Lauren Ashley Williams of Greenville, Blake Elizabeth Swanner of Bear Grass and Abigail Elizabeth Swanner of Bath. Mrs. Swanner was predeceased by one grandson, Joel Grey Swanner, one great grandson, James Kendell Williams, one sister, Pauline Whichard Edwards and one brother Delma Eugene Whichard.
You may address condolences to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com
Paul Funeral Home of Washington is honored to be serving the Swanner Family.
Paid Obituary