Howard Carlo Swofford formerly of Kings Mountain went home to be with his Lord and Savior August 31, 2024 where he resided at Terra Bella of Newton, NC.

He was born April 4, 1926 to Robert and Ethel Swofford 98 years ago in Hollis, NC. At three years of age, his family moved to Brooke Park, MN where he grew up on a farm and attended a one room schoolhouse. He joined the United States Navy at 18 serving aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Shangri-La during World War II. He moved with his parents and younger brother back to NC and to Kings Mountain in 1947. Here, he was a farmer raising chickens and milking dairy cows. He worked at Margrace Mill, Sterchi Furniture, and finally retiring from J.E. Herndon and Co. He was a "Mister Fix-it" man who could tackle any repair problem including building three chicken houses and remodeling from top to bottom his home built in 1875. He loved Mountian Dew and reading Louis L'Amour western books. He was a storyteller and practical joker known by many for his good sense of humor. He used his beautiful baritone voice in the choir at El Bethel United Methodist Church where he was a member. He loved Flea Markets and could not pass up a hammer he felt he needed nor a piece of India brass of which he had thousands upon thousands of pieces. But most of all, he's remembered for his love of wife and family.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Corrine Reynolds Swofford. Together, they loved to travel in retirement. They made memories for their nine grandkids by taking them on long trips to major tourist and historical sites all across the U.S. They took many long-distance trips themselves including a number of visits to Alaska, a state they loved, and back to Howard's home town and childhood friends in Minnesota. His family will always remember the wonderful family reunions at the beach. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by five brothers and three sisters. Surviving Howard are his children: Wayne and Faye Swofford, Michael and Melissa Swofford, Diana Blanton, Steve and Cindy Jones, and Robert and Janet Swofford. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Ruth Swofford. He had nine grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and recently welcomed his first great-great-grandchild. The family would like to thank the staff of Terra Bella in Newton, NC not only for their wonderful care of him but also for their amazing, great love for him. They treated him as if he were their own grandfather.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at El Bethel United Methodist Church in Kings Mountain where he was a member for 77 years on Saturday, September 7 at 2:00 PM.
Visitation will be from 1:00 PM to 1:50 PM prior to the service in the Fellowship Hall of El Bethel United Methodist Church

INTERMENT: El Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery, Kings Mountain, North Carolina

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