Herschell A. Swafford, 71, of Riceville, died Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008, at SkyRidge Medical Center in Cleveland.

A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, he was a son of the late Homer E. and Ollie Womac Swafford. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Riceville, and a former member of the Thomas A. Hamilton Lodge No. 317 of Riceville. He served in the U.S. National Guard and was a former employee of the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Tina Swafford of Athens; one brother and sister-in-law, Don and Iona Swafford of Calhoun; four grandchildren, Todd Swafford, Emileigh Swafford, Jessica Swafford and Blake Swafford; and several nieces and nephews.

The family wishes a special thanks to all friends and neighbors for their help and support.

Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Rymer officiating. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Riceville Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Darrell Walker, Tony Cawood, Don Nolen, Bill Burson, Neal Lindsey, Moe Thornburg, Walter Parkinson, and Jimmy Crisp. Honorary pallbearers will be Ross Shamblin, Robert Banks, Don Banks and Neil Tatum.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Walnut Grove Baptist Church, P.O. Box 845, Decatur, TN 37322.

Those unable to attend may send condolences to mailto:condolences@laycock-hobbs.com