Anne Swafford

Anne Gill Swafford, 79, of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, passed away Monday, February 13, 2023 at her home following a nearly seven year battle with colorectal cancer.

She was born August 1, 1943, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, to Anne Laura and J. Y. Smith.

Anne graduated Hot Springs High School in 1960 and studied elementary education at Henderson State University, completing her degree in Anaheim, California. She went on to achieve a masters degree in special education from SUNY Potsdam, New York in 1986.

Having met the love of her life in the summer of 1959 at a Methodist General Conference Youth Rally, Anne married Fred H. Swafford on June 1, 1963 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Anne devoted her early life to her home and raising her three children. Later, Anne taught third and fourth grade at Central Elementary in Arkadelphia and for ten years was a high school special education teacher in Massena, New York. Anne’s passions were her family and her faith. In recent years, she and Fred were baptized members of Second Baptist Church in Arkadelphia where Anne attended the women’s bible study and adult Sunday School. 

Anne’s great joy was the daily study of the Word of God, and pouring it into her family and those around her. Her devotion to prayer and bible study has left a legacy of faith and devotion that will shine well beyond her passing. Psalm 100:5 “For the LORD is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations.” She will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her brother J. Y. (Bud) Smith, her infant son Frederick Swafford, and her infant granddaughter Anna White.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband Fred of Arkadelphia; her children: son Michael (Ellen) of Wilmington, Delaware; son Robert of Arkadelphia, Arkansas; and daughter Elizabeth (Marshall) White of Morristown, Tennessee; her sister Laura Daniel of Urunga, New South Wales, Australia; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Christa (Rodrigo) Paim, Samuel of New Jersey; Courtney (Gregory) Lort, Frances, Summer and Rosemary of Tennessee; Caleb (Emily) Swafford, Lucy of Delaware; Ben White of Tennessee; Charlotte Swafford of Connecticut; Christian White of Tennessee; Ryan Swafford of Arkansas; and Elijah White of Tennessee. 

Visitation will be Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Second Baptist Church in Arkadelphia. The funeral service at 2:00  p.m. , also at Second Baptist Church, will be officiated by Pastor Louie Heard of Arkadelphia, Arkansas and Pastor Tony Buchanan of Morristown, Tennessee. A brief graveside service will be at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens following the service.

Arrangements are entrusted to Ruggles Wilcox Funeral Home, 517 Clay Street, Arkadelphia, AR 71923