Bertha A. Swafford

Bertha A. Swafford, 87, a resident of Benton, passed away Thursday, January 10, 2008 in a Bradley County healthcare facility. She was a member of the Cloverleaf Baptist Church in Cleveland.

Mrs. Swafford was the daughter of the late Luther Fannin and Gertie Alloway Fannin and was also preceded in death by her husband, Elmer Swafford.

She is survived by her children and spouses: Harold Swafford of Copperhill, Lee and Lois Swafford of Cleveland, Diane and Glenn Holloway of Chattanooga, Marline Raines of Old Fort and step son, Bill Swafford of Englewood; fourteen grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren and one great- great grandchild; sister, Faye Parker of Hickory, North Carolina; brother and spouse, Vernon and Linda Fannin of Cleveland; several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Cloverleaf Baptist Church with Reverend Gary Higgins officiating. Interment will follow in Double Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in McMinn County with a white dove release ceremony concluding the service.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Higgins Funeral Home. The family will also receive friends from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the church prior to the service.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Swafford family guestbook at www.higginsfuneral.com.