Cherry Moore Swann

Cherry Ann Moore Swann died peacefully on December 21, 2011, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on February 22, 1925 in Wichita Falls, Texas to Florence and Howard Moore. After moving to Tyler as a young child, she attended Tyler schools and later entered the University of Texas at Austin where she earned her bachelor’s degree in English. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and continued to be active in alumnae affairs throughout her life. Shortly after World War II, she met Elam Franklin Swann, Jr., and after a brief courtship of three months, they were married on April 19, 1947. They began a long and happy life together centered in faith, family and friends. Franklin introduced Cherry to his beloved Colorado, and the two traveled there often. In 1992, they purchased a second home in Snowmass Village, Colorado, where they spent roughly half of their time. Over the years, Cherry and Franklin developed a love of travel, visiting their favorite destinations of England and Italy on several occasions. Cherry was a longtime faithful member of Christ Episcopal Church where she was active in the Altar Guild, women’s bible studies, and various other activities. She also was a leader in Bible Study Fellowship for a number of years. Cherry believed her faith in Jesus Christ to be the single most important aspect of her life. Cherry was a member of the Tyler Festival Garden Club, and she enjoyed nothing more than spending her days among her flowers and in her garden which was a source of great joy. She designed and sponsored a garden sanctuary at the East Texas Crisis Center where abused children continue to receive a great deal of therapeutic healing. Cherry was an active member of the Junior League of Tyler and served as President in 1961-1962. A few years later, she demonstrated an entrepreneurial talent when she started a needlepoint shop (The Needlepoint) that she successfully operated for ten years. She was preceded in death by Franklin, her loving and devoted husband of 64 years and her brother, James Moore of Austin. She is survived by her three children, Anne Swann von Wupperfeld and husband Peter, Elam Franklin Swann, III and wife Betty, and Evans Rowland Swann and wife Susan. She is survived by six grandchildren, John Scott Hodgson, Jr. and wife Amanda, Kathryn Anne Hodgson, Elam Franklin Swann, IV and wife Brooke, Lewis Mayne Swann, Evans Rowland Swann, Jr. and Carolyn Shannon Swann and one great grandson, Trevor Neal von Wupperfeld. She is also survived by her brother Joe Moore of Tyler and her cousin Edward Abernethy of Nacogdoches. Cherry’s family gives thanks for Ashley Bulman and the other ladies who took care of both her and Franklin with such love and affection for the past several years. There is no adequate way to express our appreciation for the ministry of these dear women – Lottie Ervin, Martha Hayter, Jackie Miller, Olivia Rose, Yolanda Bircher and Linda Edwards. Services will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, 118 S. Bois d’ Arc Avenue on Friday, December 23 at 10:00 AM. Following the service, friends are invited to join the family for a short reception in the Guild Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 118 S. Bois d’ Arc Avenue, Tyler, TX 75702, the Alzheimer’s Alliance of East Texas, 211 Winchester Drive, Tyler, TX 75701, or the Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701.

Cherry Moore Swann

February 22, 1925 - December 21, 2011