Myrtle Swafford, 105, passed away Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011, in a local health care facility.

She dedicated her life to the service and care of others.

At the age of 70, she retired after many years of employment with Bradley Healthcare and Garden Terrace/Life Care. She was of the Christian faith and attended the Baptist church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ezekiel Howard Swafford II; two sons: Ezekiel Howard Swafford III and M.L. Swafford; one daughter, Zoann Garner; parents, Thomas and Flornia Mitts Henderson; 10 brothers; and one sister.

Survivors include one daughter, Ruby Ross of Smyrna; seven grandchildren: Mitzi Parker (Robert), Cindy Ledford (Harry G.), Lori Whaley (Robert), and Joey Swafford (Stacy), all of Cleveland, Lecia Anderson (Larry) of Smyrna, Avonnia Alter (Rick) of Brentwood and Dennis Garner (Janice) of Jacksonville, Fla.; 11 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. today, Oct. 23, 2011, at Grissom Funeral Home.

Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. today at the funeral home prior to the service.

To send an online condolence to the family, please visit www.grissomfh.net.