Elizabeth Lee Swope

Elizabeth Lee Swope was born on September 13, 1950 in Miami Beach, Florida, to Ivan Lee Swope and Kay Hathaway Swope. Ivan’s career as a Naval officer took the family from Miami, Florida, to Arlington Heights, Illinois, Denver, Colorado, Falls Church, Virginia, and to Charleston, South Carolina. The family returned to Miami after Ivan’s retirement from the Navy. Elizabeth’s early career aspiration was to be a cowgirl, but she put that on hold to receive her Bachelor of Arts from Stetson University and a Master of Science in Business and Organizational Management from Florida International University. After graduation, she worked for Southern Bell before following in her father’s footsteps into the banking industry. In the late 80s, Elizabeth moved to Hendersonville, North Carolina, with her best friend, Carol Senerchia. After a brief stint in a Hendersonville dress shop, Elizabeth finished her career after a lengthy tenure at the Henderson County tax assessor’s office in the business & personal property appraisal department.

How she sustained this series of successful positions, however, is a bit of a mystery to all who know her, as Elizabeth was an artist somehow trapped in a number-cruncher’s body. Elizabeth dabbled in stained glass creations, glass etching, handmade pitcher covers, counted cross stitch, and had an eye for one-of-a-kind outfits and interior decorating. She loved curating creative, artistic gifts for her family and friends–sometimes making them herself.

Later in life, Elizabeth entered into a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ, supported by the loving discipleship and community at the Church of the Resurrection in Asheville, North Carolina. She served in a number of capacities, including reading scriptures and prayers during services, accounting for tithes and gifts, and sending out prayer requests to the congregation.

Elizabeth fought a brief and courageous battle against lung cancer, and on the evening of November 25, 2024, she left her earthly body to claim her heavenly one at age 74. She is survived by her sister Anne Hennessey of Stone Mountain, Georgia, niece Sarah Hennessey currently of Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, niece Allison Hennessey Murray and nephew-in-law Chad Murray of Kansas City, Missouri, many cousins across the country, and best friend of many years Carol Senerchia of Hendersonville, North Carolina.

A memorial service will take place at Church of the Resurrection, 116 Sweeten Creek Rd, Asheville, NC 28803, on Saturday, December 28, 2024 at 10 am. A luncheon will follow the service. Her family invites you to dress in colorful outfits and bring memories and stories to share during the luncheon.