Rebecca JoAnn Swafford

Rebecca JoAnn Swafford, 83, a longtime resident of Bradley County, passed away on Wednesday morning, March 15, 2023, at her home, surrounded by her family.

She was born in Chattanooga, on April 27, 1939, to the late Charlie Edgar and Maggie Edna Holbrook Hope. JoAnn was of the Baptist faith and was an avid reader who loved books and telling and sharing stories. She adored flowers of all kinds and had a green thumb. She enjoyed working in her yard and enjoyed cooking and teaching her grandchildren how to cook favorite family dishes. She loved to sew and quilt, but most of all, she loved spending time with her family and grandchildren. She was known affectionately as “Nanny” to her eight grandchildren — Tim, Will, Ashley, Hope, Zachary, Haley, Taylor and Shelby. JoAnn has 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson is on the way.

The love of her life of 62 years is her husband, Ernie E. Swafford, also known as “Papa.” JoAnn leaves behind to cherish her memory, three daughters, Lisa Davis and her husband, Bryan, Leigh Ann Buckner and her husband, Keith, and Leslie Orr and her husband, Ed; one son, Larry Swafford and his wife, Denise; and a host of extended family and friends.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Clyde E. Hope, William “Billy” Marcus Hope, Robert K. Hope and Edgar “Sonny” L. Hope; and her sisters, Juanita E. Taylor, Doris C. White, Melvia J. Reece and Bobbie Sue Coonrod.

She is survived by one sister, Patsy Hudson of Hixson; and two sisters-in-law, Laura Hope of Fort Payne, Alabama, and Genevelyn Hope of Eton, Georgia.

A graveside Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 20, 2023, at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 7180 North Lee Highway, Cleveland.

Special thanks to the nurses and caregivers of Hearth Hospice.

You are encouraged to share a memory of JoAnn and/or your personal condolences with her family by visiting her memorial webpage and guestbook at www.companionfunerals.com. 

Companion Funeral Home of Cleveland is in charge of arrangements.