Donna Susan Swafford, 74, lovingly known as Donna or Sue, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2024, after courageously battling illness.
Susan was born on January 5, 1949, in Dayton, Tennessee to the late Mr. Samuel Edward Cleage and late Mrs. Winnifred Thomas. She spent her early years in Dayton, Tennessee and graduated from Rhea Central High School in 1967. Susan earned her degree in Radiologic Technology in 1977 from Chattanooga State Technical Community College, elected as a member of The Society of Nuclear Medicine in 1981
Susan was employed at Baroness Erlanger Hospital in Nuclear Medicine, Department of Pathology, prior to moving to Nashville where she was employed at Saint Thomas Hospital and Baptist Hospital prior to retiring in 2020.
On June 23, 1968, Susan married the love of her life, Edward "Butch" Swafford, with whom she shared 46 beautiful years. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. To their marriage was born her son, Edward Yusef Swafford, whom she cherished deeply. She was a nurturing mother and she lovingly called him “Boo.” He was her sunrise and sunset. Susan was a devoted wife, mother, sister, and friend, whose warmth and kindness touched the lives of all who knew her. Susan was a pillar of strength and support for her family.
Susan loved adventure and had a zest for life and a love for travel, exploring various parts of the world alongside her husband. She was a voracious reader and had a passion for learning and enjoyed conversation about historical facts and events.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Swafford, her parents Samuel Edward Cleage and Winnifred Thomas and sister, Deborah Rose Smith.
She is survived by her loving son, Edward Yusef Swafford, Arcata, California; two brothers Samuel Jonthan Cleage, Dayton, Tennessee and William N. Thomas, Brooklyn, NY; four brothers-in-law, Preston L. Smith, Newark, Delaware; Raymond (Glenna) Swoffard, Ooltewah, Tennessee; Ronald (Sharon) Swafford, Chattanooga, Tennessee; Stacey (Gwynne) Swafford, Bakewell, Tennessee; two sisters-in-law, Barbara (Anthony) Otey, Norcross, Georgia; and Elaine Swafford (Jeanne), Hixson, Tennessee and several nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Special gratitude to cousins Janet and Marvin Thompson, and Tonya and Mortimer Davenport for their unwavering love, care, and support for Sue and family.
A funeral service to celebrate Susan's life will be held at Coulter-Garrison Funeral Home, Dayton, Tennessee on Sunday, March 31, at 2 p.m., with Pastor Jimmy Ingram officiating. Visitation will take place Sunday, March 31, at 1 p.m. in the Chapel at Coulter-Garrison Funeral Home, Dayton, Tennessee.
Interment will follow at Mt. Zion AME Church Cemetery, Bakewell, TN.