Bessie Burrell Swicegood
June 10, 1923 ~ May 7, 2006
Resided in:
Arden, NC
Bessie Burrell Swicegood of Arden, died Sunday, May 7, 2006, at the Laurels of Greentree Ridge. Bessie had been a resident of the Laurels since September, 2000.
A lifelong resident of the Asheville area, she was a graduate
of Lee H. Edwards High School and was employed by the City of Asheville in the Accounting Department for more than 20 years. When Taylor Instrument came to Arden in 1964, Bessie was one of their first employees, working in the Personnel Department for many years, before moving on to Tyco, where she retired from in 1988.
Born on June 10, 1923, to the late Nora Armstrong and Carr McGuire Swicegood, she was preceded in death by her sister Elizabeth S. Cannon, brother Robert M. Swicegood, and nephew Sam Cannon. Survivors include her sister, Margaret S. Fort and brother, Joseph Carr Swicegood, both of Arden, sister, Jane S. Elins, of Tucson, AZ, 10 nieces and nephews and 18 great-nieces and nephews.
Until her illness, Miss Swicegood was active at the Skyland United Methodist Church where she was a member for more than 40 years. Bess was well loved for her simple honestly and dignity and was a friend to everyone she met. She was a light to all who knew her and will be sorely missed.
The funeral will be at 11:00 am, Wednesday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue with the Revs. James White and Christy Sharp officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Green Hills Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Skyland United Methodist Church, PO Box 697, Skyland, NC 28776.
The family would also like to express their appreciation for all the love and care that Bess received at the Laurels of Greentree Ridge and also to her many friends that were so faithful during her long illness.
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Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Joe, Margaret, Jane and Family Members, Bessie was always special to me with that big smile and great personality. Regardless of age, health, or any other circumstance in life we are never ready to give up our loved ones. The only comfort has to be our Faith in the Sovereignty of God and the manifested concern of caring friends. Please know we are thinking of you and holding you in our prayers. We hope in some small way it helps to know that others do care. Joe
Bess was a very, very, dear friend to my mom, St.Ola Mapp, as she was her roommate at GreenTree. She was precious to Mrs. Mapp’s entire family and it grieved us when we were first made aware of her death, then we celebrated when we realized that Bess is now whole again. What a wonderful, lovely soul she was. May God truly Bless each and every one of you. Margaret was a wonderful sister to Bess and our prayers are with you always.
I am blessed to have known Bessie. She was my roommate for a time, and I missed her when I moved from her room. She taught me so much with her own unique way of communicating. When I visited with her last week, she was weak and did not talk much, but she thanked me for coming to see her as always. God lent Bess to us only for a little while to love and care for until he returned for her. She is now resting safely and comfortably in his arms. Oh, what a mighty God we serve. We are all better people for having known Bessie Swicegood.
I met Bess while visiting with my cousin, St. Ola Mapp who was Bess’s roommate. They were so compatible and enjoyed good times together. Bess had a wonderful personality, and did not complain at all. She was an amazing lady and I thank God for letting our paths cross.
I had the great pleasure of caring for Miss Bessie at GreenTree a few years ago and she was truly a blessing. I was very saddened to hear of her passing but also comforted to know that she is in a much better place than you and I are in. Alot of times when I would enter Bessie’s room, she would be reading her bible and she would always have a smile on her face. I know that God embraced her life during her illness. May the Lord be with you and your family during the celebration of Bessie’s new eternal life. God Bless.
My thoughts and Prayers are with you at this time.
Michelle, Hope, and Carr: My prayers are with you this day.
I hope you all are good. Have not heard or seen any of you in quite a while.
We wish to send our condolences to the family of Bess Swicegood. She was a valued co-worker of mine (Larry) at Taylor Instrument and we both knew her well as a fine member of the community.May the Lord comfort you in your loss.
Remembering good times in Lee Edwards–fond memories-Aurelia
My thoughts are with you.
My thoughts are with you.
My prayers are with your family for the loss of this wonderful lady.
Mr. Joe Swicegood and Family:
We, the Grant Family, do share with you during your time of grief. Please rest with the very comfortable fact that God doeth all things well and that He will comfort you as well. You will be in our prayers for added strength for the days ahead.
Reverend Dr. Wesley Grant, Sr.
Reverend Dr. Wesley Grant, Jr.
Reverend Dr. Louis E. Grant
Minister James A. Grant
John A. Grant, Sr.
Arsie Grant Dickson
Marye Grant McDaniel