Edison T. “E.T.” Swafford, age 87, passed away March 27, 2020 at Ridgeview Healthcare Center.
A family graveside service, with military honors, was held at Walker Memory Gardens. Bro. Lee Taylor presided over the service.
E.T. was born to Ike and Murtie (Key) Swafford on June 16, 1932, in Big Ridge, AL (Walker County). He attended his first two years of school at the two-room Big Ridge School. He then attended Parrish Elementary and Parrish High School. While in high school, he was a member of the Army Reserve. It was during this time that he was called into active duty. At the age of seventeen, he left Jasper, AL on January 23, 1951 with Btry D to serve in the Korean War. As part of the United Nations Forces, he served in combat as a gunnery as the final push was made across the 38th parallel and into North Korea. He received the Korean Service Medal, Bronze Star and United Nations Service Medal. After returning home from Korea, he finished high school at the night school for veterans at Oakman High School.
On July 10, 1956, E.T. married his sweetheart, Gay Nell Hitt. They moved to Chicago, IL where he attended Greer Trade School and became a diesel mechanic. After completing school they returned to Walker County. He worked for over forty years as a diesel mechanic for Peabody Coal, Cummings Diesel and Drummond Company.
E.T. was most passionate about telling others how the Lord saved him and wanting to lead others to that saving grace. He loved leading gospel singing’s at church and singing with the Sonshine Singers. He and Gay Nell loved traveling with senior groups and traveled through all but two states. Their greatest joys in traveling were to the Holy Lands and as part of a boat mission team along the Amazon River. He never met at stranger and loved to talk about his family and Alabama Football and Softball.
E.T. is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Gay Nell Hitt Swafford; Son-Jimmy Swafford (Pat); Daughters-Glenda Gay (Tim) and Gayle Crump (Barry); Grandchildren-Phillip Swafford (Jin), Christy Chattom (Daniel), Clay Swafford and Chandler Crump; Great Grandchildren-Braxton Chattom, Cedar Swafford and Lulu Swafford.
He was preceded in death by his Parents-Ike and Murtie (Key) Swafford; Brothers-Leslie (Margie), Jack (Bebe) and Abb; Sister-Juanita Peterson (Connie).
Special thanks to Ridgeview and Comfort Care.
