Helen Joye Swafford, 61, of Riceville, died Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at SkyRidge Medical Center in Cleveland.

A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, she was a daughter of the late George \"G.A.\" and Mildred Womac Swafford. She was a member of Meadow Fork Baptist Church and the Tennessee School for the Deaf Club.

Survivors include her husband of 35 years, Glenn Swafford of Riceville; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Veda Sue and Gary Morgan of Riceville, Faye and Charles Rowland of Athens, and Virginia Ruth and Billy Callahan of Calhoun; one brother and sister-in-law, James A. and Lynn Dean of Charleston; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Meadow Fork Baptist Church with the Rev. Ray Ingram and the Rev. Joseph Hicks officiating. Burial will follow in Meadow Fork Cemetery. The body will lie in-state at the church from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday.

Active pallbearers will be Jeff Humbert, Steve Byrum, Eddie Rowland, Mel Rowland, Casey Suits, Jared Suits and Little David Lee Burris.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Those not able to attend may send condolences to mailto:condolences@laycock-hobbs.com