Ruth Crawford Swofford

SHELBY: On September 4, 2025, just hours after her 91st birthday, Ruth Crawford Swofford peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior at Wendover Hospice .

Ruth was born to Albert and Viva Crawford in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. She had a thriving career as the District Sales Manager for Avon to the Western NC territory. She took pride in her career and appearance. Ruth was very poised, her signature hairstyle perfectly in place, makeup done to include red lipstick and red nail polish on.

Ruth was a devout Christian and devoted her life to teachings of the Bible. She was a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church. She served in every office of the church, except playing the organ. She often led Bible studies, and would stand in for pastors, and ministers any way she could. She went on four mission trips to Haiti, McCalls, Florida and Georgia. She was on the Board of Directors for Epiphany. She had been involved with Emmaus and served on 12 Emmaus walks, was a Lay Director and served on the Emmaus Board of Directors. She, along with her husband, was the first camp directors at Camp Loy White in Casar, NC for 10 years.

In addition to her parents, Ruth is preceded in death by her adoring husband of 69 years, Roy. Her brother, Ken Crawford, as well as her brother in laws, Howard Robinson and Hal Gibson. She is survived by her four children, Dale Swofford of Kings Mountain , Phyllis Glover and husband Jimmy of Shelby, Pamela Hamrick and husband Virgil of Shelby and Donald Swofford and wife Angela of Bolivia, NC. She had nine grandchildren, Christopher Swofford, Benjamin Swofford and wife Mary, Ashley Wilson and husband Andy, Amanda Randall and husband Alex, William Skinner and wife Amanda, Dena Haverland and husband Bob, Hollie Swofford, Joshua Wilson and wife Brittany and Breanna Moore. Ruth also held pride in her great grandchildren Tanner, Charley, Everleigh, Blakeleigh, Jeremiah, Brooke, Aaliya, Katelyn, Brandon, Lauren, and Kayla; numerous nieces and nephews and a cherished former daughter in law, Karen Swofford. Ruth was also still blessed to have her brother Louis Crawford and wife Grace, her twin sister, Ruby Robinson and special friend Glenn, sister Elizabeth Gibson and sister in law Ann Crawford.

The family will receive friends Sunday, September 7, 2025 at 2pm at Clay Barnette Funeral Home. The funeral will follow at 3pm in the Chapel of Clay Barnette Funeral Home with Curtis Goforth officiating. Burial will follow Monday, September 8, 2025 at 11am at Cleveland Memorial Park.

Funeral services are entrusted to Clay-Barnette Funeral, Cremations, and Aquamations.