Joseph "Joe" Carr Swicegood, Sr.
August 25, 1926 ~ March 22, 2018
Resided in:
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Joseph Carr Swicegood, Sr, age 91, died Thursday, March 22, 2018 at his home, surrounded by his family. Born August 25, 1926, Joe was a lifetime resident of Asheville, North Carolina. He was the son of the late Carr McGuire Swicegood and Nora C. (Armstrong) Swicegood.
Joe was the owner of Little Pigs Barbecue, which he founded in 1963. Little Pigs was a ministry of sorts, and it was here that his generous and giving spirit was most obvious. It was the people that he was able to serve that really meant something to him and oh, how he loved treating many to a slice of his famous lemon meringue pie! It is no mistake that Little Pigs was at the foot of the hospital where so many would come to share a diagnosis, talk about their treatments, and bear their souls. Little Pigs is also across the street from Asheville High School, where he, with the likes of Charlie Justice, made Asheville football history at the former Lee Edwards High School. His work was second only to his family. Joe also enjoyed working out, investing in real estate and gardening. He traveled extensively and loved the people watching he was able to do on those trips.
Bud, as he was known by siblings and friends, entered World War II in the fall of 1944, and returned to North Carolina in August of 1945. He went directly to UNC Chapel Hill, where he played football with four of his former Lee Edwards teammates.
He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 60 years, Peggy (Creasman) Swicegood, his daughters Michele Demetriou and Hope Byrd, and his son Carr Swicegood and wife Lynda; grandchildren Steven and Alexander Demetriou, Reggie King, Robert Byrd, and Joseph, Andrew, and Sarah Margaret Swicegood; sisters Jane Swicegood and Margaret Fort, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by grandsons Christopher and Phillip Byrd; brother Bob, sisters Elizabeth Cannon and Bessie Swicegood.
His family will receive friends on Sunday, March 25, 2018 from 3-5pm at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian in Arden.
Funeral services for him will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, March 26, 2018, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 60 Church Street, Asheville. His interment will immediately follow the service in the Memorial Garden at Trinity Episcopal Church, with a reception to follow in Tuton Hall at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 60 Church Street, Asheville, NC 28801.
To the swicegood family my prayers go out to your family.your husband your dad your grandfather and your great_grandfather and uncle he was a wonderful loving caring man.i meant Mr. Swicegood when I worked the American Red Cross.been friends with him and his wife for over 40 years love them both
I’m going to miss his smiling face every time I would go to Little Pigs to eat lunch or dinner. Rest In Peace My Friend.
Joe Swicegood was the first friends I made when I moved my family with five children to Asheville to open a branch office of Wilcox Travel Agency, Inc. in the former BB&T building. My family and I always enjoyed eating at ‘Little Pigs’ because it was great food and Joe always visited with me and my children enjoyed him very much. He meant a lot to the Western North Carolina Community and will be missed. I took Joe to the Holy Land and he told me many times it was the best experience of his life. He now has made his last trip to Heaven to be with God for eternity.
What a truly generous man, Joe gave so much more than his lemon pie. He gave his ability to listen and to care to countless friends as well as strangers over the decades. Love to his family.
It was my privilege to know Joe and call him a friend
Michelle, my deepest condolence to you and your family. May peace, love and sweet memories surround you during this time.
My heartfelt prayers and sympathy
Sandi Belcher
From the family of the late Frank Smith, who knew Joe as a long-time friend, we pray a complete and heavenly peace for all of you.
Donna Smith Ammons
From the son of the Jay ‘Jay-Bird’ Johnson, Drew Johnson. Joe and my parents were high school friends and classmates. Very sorry for your loss. I have many fond memories of Joe and Little Pigs. To this day it is my favorite BBQ ever. Our prayers are with the entire family at this time. God Bless you all.
To Joe’s Family, I extend to you my sympathy and prayers. Joe has been one of my favorite people dating back to my days of playing basketball. I felt he always called a very fair game, and over the years when I would see him, we always talked basketball. He will be missed by many!
My sincere condolences to the Swicegood family.
This community has lost a treasure! Will never forget
how kind he was to my husband, Wayne Coleman,
before he passed sending him a care package. May
God Bless you all!
Peggy, Carr and Family. We all loved Joe, and his kindness, his smile, his generosity, and friendliness….even his happy laugh. He will be missed, and I send my thoughts and sympathy to the family. I felt like I knew him forever, and loved the ‘Little Pigs’. (Used them for catering often, also ate there a lot). Service was always good and friendly, just as Joe expected it to be.
To the Swicegood family, you should be so proud of a life well-lived. I played basketball at Asheville High in the 70’s and Joe was always so nice to us and often gave us sandwiches after practice and I always loved going back there when visiting Asheville. Thanks to a great guy!
Peggy and family,–So sorry for your loss.You are in my thoughts and prayers.Hazel Lance
Our thoughts are with your family in this sad time.
My deepest condolences to the Swicegood family on their lost. It was my pleasure to be his classmate in High School. Joe will be greatly missed.
Wish I could be there but Holy Week commitments just don’t let me be in two places at the same time. You all are in my prayers. May Joe est in peace and rise in glory. I am sure the heavenly banquet now offers lemon pie…
Michele / Hope / Carr
So sorry to hear the news about your dad. I know he’s in a better place and y’all will see him again. Hard to believe so much time has passed since our Roberson days. Hope you all are well.
Peggy, Michele, Hope, and Carr… Words really can’t speak to the loss of a life well lived. There have been so many shared experiences between the Swicegoods and the Henderson – every one of them a blessing. Every person who ever was blessed to have crossed paths with Joe probably has stories of friendship and kindness of a man who loved his family, his community, but above all his God. Every time I have been home since leaving for college to many years ago meant a trip to the restaurant – and as soon as I walked in Joe would great me with true friendship. Such was that joy that whenever I was in town with friends, I had to ‘share’ the joy of a truly wonderful man. May God send his angels – including his newest one – to hold you all in the safety and comfort of their wings as you celebrate the life of a good man. May the souls of all of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you in the the loss of your husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. When our daughter married into the Swicegood family, you accepted us and made us part of your family. Cherish all the sweet memories that have been created and never forget them. May God comfort you in the days to come.
Peggy and family, the family of Tom & Lola Powers want you all to know that you are in our prayers. You always showed such love and care of your employees and to our family. Peggy, Michele, Hope and Carr you all have meant so much to Mom and Dad and we thank you for your caring ways. Joe would always try to take of people that came into Little Pigs, making sure they had what they needed and of course sharing conversation with everyone. Keep your memories close to heart, for you will revisit them over and over again. God bless each of you, Garnell, John, Tommy, Pam and Mike (Tom and Lola’s children)
Peggy, Michele, Hope and Carr, Joe will be missed very much by me and everyone that had the pleasure of visiting Little Pigs BBQ. I know how much I and all my friends that work both the Asheville Police Dept. and the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office loved to eat at his establishment. I know he is at peace now. I pray that God will embrace all of you and give you the comfort that you deserve in this time of grief. God Bless You All.
Our deepest condolences go out for Peggy and all of Joe’s family. A wonderful legacy for Asheville and all those who loved Little Pigs and spent many times there. Wonder how many people loved the BBQ and never realized how good the broasted chicken was? I was lucky to catch Joe and Peggy at the Pigs not too long ago and shared some stories about his football prowess from a former Black Mtn.High School player who knew him well. Peggy told me a funny story about a phone call she got and I chuckle still when I think of it! Bless his life and his new life now!
Billy Warlick
Lauretta Warlick
Michelle, Hope and Mrs. Swicegood, I am so sorry for your loss, I have many fond memories growing up with Hope, attending Valley Springs/TCR and going to your house to spend the night… I especially enjoyed eating the fried chicken from Little Pigs that Hope would bring for lunch or when I was at your house…. Your father/husband was a wonderful man. I was honored to know him all those years ago. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. Laura Lee Collins
My cousin, Nancy Travis from Fairview, worked for Joe for many years until her passing in 2009. When she passed Joe sent food to Pleasant Grove Church on the day of her funeral and was so generous in that regard. A pillar of the community has passed. Business people like Joe are few and far between. Some of my fondest memories when I was younger involved eating BBQ at Little Pigs (I am 70 now) and talking about sports or issues of the day with friends. My deepest sympathy to the family.
My sincerest condolences to Mrs. Swicegood and all the Swicegood family. Mr. Swicegood was such a wonderful person, he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. It’s particularly difficult to lose someone you love so close to a holiday. (I lost my own dad not long before Christmas.) But the promise of the holidays…the holy days, and particularly this one….is that our Lord was victorious over death. And one bright morning, we’ll see those we’ve loved and lost once again. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Find comfort in knowing he is at peace and in God’s loving embrace and that you will see him again.
It goes without saying one was always welcomed at his table. And Mr. Joe will always have a place in my heart, welcoming me after my first day at Mission as and RN. His Chicken was like that I knew in Houtzdale, PA. Thank you for the love, your unending unconditional love.
May your family know comfort in the stories we share. Until we meet again, may God continue to Bless all of you, and those who carry on keeping Little Pigs feeding the 5000.
Peggy and family our thoughts and prayers are with you. Joe was a very special person.
Cindy and Lynn Smeltzer
Barbara and I extend our sympathy to the Swicegood family. He was a people person, and I like many others through the years enjoyed talking to Joe and eating the best barbecue, chicken, and pie. He lived a wonderful full life that you can be proud of. We will miss him. Sincerely, Barry R. Pate M.D.
Joe gave me my first job in 1963 and I worked for him for about four years right after he first opened. Other than my father, Joe, taught me more about how to have a sense of responsibility and a good work ethic than anyone else in my life. His guidance during the time I worked for him helped me throughout my entire work life. At the time did we always get along or did I always think he was right? No, but through the years, since, I have learned to appreciate what he did for me. I sincerely regret that I never took the time to tell Joe what I have said today. I am sorry to have missed the service, but did not learn of his death until today.I send Peggy, Carr ,and the rest of his wonderful family my sincere condolences and sympathy.
My deepest condolences to the Swicegood family
My sincere sympathy to the Swicegood family.
Carr, just read of your father. You told me many memories of him, never got to met him. Sure wish we could have recalled with him different business decisions and life experiences. Anyhow, wishing you many good times that you and your Dad had, and not the sad times of today. Bill
As an outstanding businessman his BBQ business thrived not only for the great food, but for his outstanding personality. He and his wife Peggy also supported many civic endeavors in the city of Asheville.
We were teammates on the UNC football team; my wife Elizabeth and I attended many UNC Football team reunions together with Joe and Peggy. We send our love and our condolences to Peggy and the children at this time. ~ Bob & Liz Brannon, Waynesville, NC
so sorry to here about your dad, prayers and wishes are with you.
To the Swicegood Family:
I have just read of Joe’s passing. He was a good friend.I went to school with Hope and I worked for Joe part time. He will be missed. Just remember
Joe is not dead he is as much alive today as ever. This is not the day of sadden
but the day of happiness. He is home with our lord.