Mary Alice Swann

Mary Alice Swann passed from this life on December 31st, 2024 at Clare Bridge, Brookdale Belle Meade, in Nashville, TN. Born December 11th, 1925, in Oak Park, Georgia, she had just celebrated her 99th birthday. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Swann, her Father, Charles R. Hartsfield and her Mother, Alice Keene, her sister, Charlotte Hartman (Carl) and her brother, J.W. Hartsfield (Marion). She is survived by her two daughters, Sandra Butterfield (Louis) and Brenda Griffith (Larry), seven grandchildren, Renee Cauley (Gene), Robyn Butterfield (Julie), Ryan Butterfield (Paula), Bryon Griffith, (Geri), Kimberly Thomas (Ben), Regina Proffitt (Zach), Alicia Douglas, eighteen great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. 

Mary and her husband, Howard, lived in Georgia most of their lives. They served as church planters and were responsible for beginning congregations of churches of Christ throughout Georgia, including the cities of Newan, Dallas, Cochran, and Hazlehurst. In each place, Mary was sure to be found teaching a children’s Bible class. They also spent a short time serving churches in Boaz, AL and Steens, MS. In addition to their local work, Howard and Mary participated in several mission efforts in foreign countries, including Jamaica, Guyana, India and Nigeria. After retirement, when they moved to Murfreesboro, TN, the Woodbury, TN church of Christ hired Howard and Mary to be “Georgia missionaries”, making trips back to various Georgia congregations, conducting home Bible studies and participating in Revivals. 

Mary was the epitome of southern grace, charm, and hospitality. From church “potlucks” to hosting overnight guests in her home, all was done with a sense of graciousness and genuine desire to make her guests feel welcomed and at home. Her family was her first love, but she also loved gardening, both vegetables and the flowering variety, using the Roto-tiller and the riding mower well into her 80s. In her last few years, she took special delight in her dogs, Prissy and her beloved Pepper. 

A memorial service will be held at the Bellevue church of Christ, 7401 Hwy 70 S. in Nashville on Saturday, January 18th. Visitation is at 10:00 with a short service beginning at 11:00.