Carolyn Lee Swift, 87, passed away peacefully on Sept. 11, 2026. Visitation was from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, and again from 9-11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, with services starting at 11 a.m., all to be held at Shackelford Funeral Home in Henderson. Internment will be at the Scotts Hill Methodist Church Cemetery, 580 TN-114, Scotts Hill, TN 38374. In lieu of flowers, you may send donations to Henderson Church of Christ, 240 White Ave, Henderson, TN 38340.
She was born in Scotts Hill to the late Tokah Mae and Hubert Richard Swift. She graduated from Scotts Hill High School and afterward obtained her associates degree from Freed-Hardeman College. She then completed her schooling at Union University.
After college, she taught high school English and fourth and fifth grade math in Sardis for three years before getting a job as a home economist with the Electric System in Lexington. She retired from the Electric System after working there for 35 years where she made lifelong friends. While there, she drew house plans for many Gold Medallion homes. She enjoyed design and loved creating beautiful spaces for people. She also was a part of the Electric System’s radio program, providing listeners with ways to save electricity. While visiting their grandparents, her nieces and nephews enjoyed sitting around the radio listening to their “celebrity” Aunt Carolyn!
After retiring, she moved from Lexington to Henderson to live with her sister Joan. The two sisters had a beautiful bond and were often thought to be twins. During retirement, they enjoyed travelling with family and friends. One of the special family trips was an annual trek to fish for trout on the White River in Arkansas. Although neither of them fished, they enjoyed the laughter and companionship and made sure to spend an afternoon treating the youngest great-nieces to a special manicure which they loved.
Carolyn also became a member of the Pentagon Club where she gave programs on homemaking and decorating. She enjoyed sharing recipes with the ladies, especially desserts! Along with these things, she had a love for decorating, thrifting, reading cookbooks, chocolate milkshakes, FHU basketball and relaxing in her sunroom with one of her puzzle books.
Above all else, she was a devout Christian and an active member of the church of Christ, attending Austin’s Chapel in Scotts Hill and later Henderson church of Christ. She loved the Lord and loved being busy in His service. Over the years, she taught Bible class, assisted with special events and eagerly prepared food for those in need. She was a light to everyone who knew her or came in contact with her. Her laugh was contagious, and she always made you feel special. She enjoyed a good visit and was always eager for the next one. Our sweet Carolyn will be sorely missed.
She is survived by her loving and devoted sister, Joan Swift; her loving nieces and nephews, Mark Cook of Lawrenceville, Ga., Jill (Kevin) Krantz of Nolensville, Dr. Tim (Sarah) Cook of Little Rock, Ark., and Beth (Steve) Lawrence of Heber Springs, Ark.; her great-nieces and great-nephews, Sara Beth (Christopher) Coleman, Hannah Hall, Mary (Mason) Lawrence Schroeder, Sophia Lawrence, Jackson Cook, Harrison Cook and Rose Cook; and one great-great-nephew, Asher Coleman.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Hubert and Tokah Swift, and her sister Kathleen Cook.
