Dorothy Haley Swanson

Dorothy Frances Haley Swanson, 95 of Swansonville, Virginia died in South Boston, Virginia on January 23, 2016 after a lengthy illness. She was born on June 15, 1920 in Pittsylvania County to the late James Thomas Haley and Eva Holland Haley. The oldest of twelve children, Dorothy was unwavering in her love and devotion to her siblings. She was preceded in death by her brothers Nelson, Udell, Boyd, James, Leonard, and Audrey Haley and by her sisters Pauline Swartz, Angele Baker, Mildred Haley and Melissa Wood. She is survived by her brother Raymond Haley and her sister-in-law Ila Haley and brother-in-law Melvin Wood. Dorothy attended Madison College and was a long time elementary school teacher at Whitmell School. She kept up with her first grade students long after they had children of their own. She married the late Thomas Amick Swanson during World War II and was devoted to him until his death in 1985. She is also predeceased by two children James C. (Jimmy) Swanson and an infant son Frank Thomas Swanson. She is survived by children Ray Swanson (Debbie) of Greensboro, North Carolina; Charles Swanson (Julia) of Richmond, Virginia; Anne Puryear (Mickey) of South Boston, Virginia; Sue Robertson of Richmond, Virginia; Johnny Swanson of Burlington, North Carolina; and daughter-in-law Nancy Swanson of Danville, Virginia. Her grandsons Paul, Ryan, Michael, and Cameron Swanson and Tom and Michael Puryear and granddaughters Blair Swanson and Mary Yeaman were the delights of her life. As were her three great- grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She had a wide range of interests: travel, local politics, flowers, quilting, gardening, animals, and disabled children. Dorothy could be counted on to know the name of every flower or flowering bush. The family wishes to thank Sentara Woodview in South Boston for their gracious loving care of their mother and grandmother. A funeral service will be held at Swansonville United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 30th at 11:00 AM with the Reverend Linwood Cook officiating. Interment will follow the service in the church cemetery. The family requests that any donations be made to Swansonville United Methodist Church, 16492 Franklin Turnpike, Dry Fork, Virginia 24549. Wrenn-Yeatts Funeral Home is respectfully serving the Swanson family.

Dorothy Haley Swanson

June 15, 1920 - January 23, 2016