Ralph Swafford

Ralph Swafford Sr. age 72 of Centre, passed away Friday, August 21st at Cherokee Health & Rehab. Funeral services will be 3 PM Sunday, August 23rd at Perry Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Gary Brookshire, Rev. J.L. Stanley and Rev. Shane Swafford officiating, burial will follow in Cherokee Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 1 until 3 PM Sunday at the funeral home. Pallbearers include Ralph Swafford Jr., Seth Swafford, Sam Swafford, Aaron Battles, Wesley Battles and Bill Harwood. Honorary Pallbearers will be David Lykins and Johnny Kelly. Mr. Ralph Swafford, Sr. lived a life of faith, family, and friends. He was a Christian businessman who engaged in several ventures over the course of his life. This allowed him to make many friends and provide for his family. His greatest passion involved the auction industry. Whether he was an attendee, a seller, a buyer, or a ringman for the day; he loved the business. Ralph was a family man who loved big and gave unselfishly to those he loved. He set a Christian example for his children and grandchildren to follow. He was blessed to have been married to Barbara Swafford for 28 years and then to Cynthia Swafford for 9 years. Perhaps his greatest joy was his children and grandchildren whom he loved enormously. He was a devoted Christian and faithful member of the Kingdom of God. He served in many capacities in the church throughout his life such as Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, council member, church building committee, overseer of new church construction, and much more. His faith was always on display for the world to see. It got him through many difficult times in his life and his faith -finally- got him home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Survivors include sons, Ralph Swafford Jr. of Centre and Shane (Dava) Swafford of Collinsville; daughter, Teresa (Aaron) Battles of Centre; sister, Linda Ledford of Yorkville; 7 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; niece, Mary Moore. He was preceded in death by wife Barbara Swafford of 28 years, Cynthia Swafford wife of 9 years and brother-in-law, Lindsey Ledford. Mr. Swafford was a native of Ellijay, Ga. and the son of the late Vester Cleborn Thomas and Mary Lou Hudson Swafford. . The family will accept flowers or memorials may be made to Grace Pointe Church of God. Special thanks to nurses and staff at Cherokee Health and Rehab, a special friend Marie Wright for your love, care and devotion to our dad. Perry Funeral Home Directing

Ralph Swafford

June 14, 1948 - August 21, 2020