David Graham Swann

David Graham Swann, age 88, of Dandridge, TN, of the prominent and historical East Tennessee faily of Judge James Preston Swann, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away from this earth Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2003 at Baptist Hospital in Knoxville, following an extended illness. Mr. Swann had a long career as Assistant Postmaster General in Dandridge. He retired in 1978. He attended Carson Newman College on a basketball scholarship and Business College in Knoxville. He proudly served his country during WW II, having served four years in England and France. Like a valiant warrior, he had great pride in the liberties and freedom of America. The American flag was treated with such honor by him. He spoke often of the brave men with whom he had served in WWII. He was an avid sportsman and naturalist. David spent much time teaching his son and grandsons to treasure the land and how to protect the environment. All of the children have such fond memories of their father and grandfather, teaching them marksmanship, fishing and the joy of conversation over a campfire. He had flair with plants and gardening. The children remember the times spent in the garden with him, teaching them how to plant and nurture vegetables. Harvest was a time of great bounty and family fun. He was a very creative furniture designer. Many years were spent crafting the beautiful woods and all the while teaching the boys the joy of his hobby. Education was extremely important to him. His son James David had served the Jefferson County system with devotion and excellence. His son's service was of great importance and great pride to him. David was a wealth of information on family heritage and genealogy. Descendents of the Swanns, Grahams, Jefferies family came from all over the world to seek his knowledge and records. David, along with Joe and Art Swann, spent much time in the Carolinas and Virginia documenting historical family facts. He was a descendent of the founding fathers of America the First. Sir Francis Swann settled the colony in the year 1616 in North Carolina. The Swanns, Grahams, Jefferies, and Seahorns fought to gain our independence from Britian in the Revolutionary War. His grandfather, Judge James Preston Swann, was a strong leader in the Civil War. Every important event that shaped and founded our country David treasured. David was also a charter member of the First Families of Tennessee. David instilled in his daughter and granddaughters the importance of grace and developing their full potential. He took great pride in the accomplishments of all his children. In recent months, he took great pride in watching the development of the construction of Squirewood Village, a new shopping development built on land that once belonged to the Swann family and named after his historical ancestral home, Squirewood Hall. His pride of the project came from the knowledge the town of Dandridge needed the Food City grocery facility. David followed the creed of Kilping's poem, "If." "He was a man, my Friend." And was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Dandridge, where he had served as deacon and treasurer. Mr. Swann organized and established Boy Scout Troop 77 for the boys in Dandridge. He is preceded in death by his parents, Josephine and James Edward Swann; siblings, Lyle Swann, Henry (Dutch) Swann, Frances Swann Trigg, Miriam Swann, Albert Swann and Brice Homsley. He is survived by his wife, Iva Mae Swann and children, James David Swann, Sr. and Caroline Granham Swann; first grandson, Mike Rimmer; grandchildren, Mark Young, Kristin Swann Depew, Cynthia Swann Smith, James David Swann II; great grandchildren, Travis Rimmer, Preston Young, Spencer Young, Jake Depew, Zachary Smith, Cassandra Smith and Elijam Smith; nephews, Joe and Art Swann of Maryville; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 2, 2003 from the First Baptist Church in Dandridge with Dr. Robert McCray officiating. Interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2:30 p.m. prior to the services at First Baptist Church in Dandridge. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church in Dandridge. Arrangments by Farrar Funeral Home in Dandridge, TN (865) 397-2711