Franklin Swann,

Elam Franklin Swann, Jr. died peacefully on December 19, 2010, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 3rd, 1921 in Tyler to Ruth Baldwin and Elam Franklin Swann, Sr. He attended Tyler schools until he entered the University of Texas in Austin where he earned his Bachelor’s degree. After college and within days of Pearl Harbor, he joined the U.S. Navy. He attained the rank of Lieutenant and served aboard the U.S.S. Topeka. Franklin was Aide to Admiral Carl Holden in the Pacific campaign. Franklin was descended from a Pioneer East Texas family. His grandfather, William David Swann was a boy of eleven in 1856 when he came to Smith County in a covered wagon. The family settled near present day Swan, Texas, a community known as Swann until railroad telegraphers shortened it for convenience. In Tyler the Swann name has long been associated with the furniture business. Swann’s Furniture Company was founded by T.E. Swann in 1895 and later sold to his nephew, Elam Franklin Swann, Sr. Following World War II, Franklin, Jr. and his brother Thomas became partners in the downtown store. At the time of his death, Franklin Swann was retired from the store that he and his son, Elam, had opened on the loop in 1989. Elam Franklin Swann, IV recently became the fifth generation to join the business. In 1947 Franklin and Cherry Ann Moore were married and began a long and happy life together centered in faith, family and friends. Franklin had a lifetime love affair with Colorado, spending almost every summer there until he joined the Navy. After World War II, Franklin resumed visiting Colorado with his young family. Later he and his wife purchased a condominium in Snowmass, Colorado as their second home. Franklin was a true outdoors enthusiast who loved fishing, hunting, golf and skiing with his family and friends. He loved great relationships, one of his favorite being his Willowbrook Golf Game, which he played every Wednesday in sunshine or rain. Franklin and Cherry were veteran travelers and made many trips to England. Franklin first got his taste of foreign travel as a young teenager when he accompanied his great aunt on a trip around the world. Leaving from the west coast, they circled the globe by ship, train and car, returning to New York and Tyler many months later. Franklin was a long time faithful member of Christ Episcopal Church. At Christ Church Franklin served on the Vestry, was a lay reader and sang in the choir. Additionally, Cherry and Franklin attended Christ Episcopal Church in Aspen during their many summer trips to Colorado. Franklin was also involved in a number of civic organizations. He was preceded in death by his sister Carolyn Swann Key. He is survived by Cherry, his wife of nearly sixty-four years, their three children and spouses Anne Swann Von Wupperfeld (Peter), Elam Franklin Swann, III (Betty), and Evans Rowland Swann (Susan). He is survived by six grandchildren, John Scott Hodgson, Jr., Kathryn Anne Hodgson, Elam Franklin Swann, IV, Lewis Mayne Swann, Evans Rowland Swann, Jr. and Carolyn Shannon Swann. He is also survived by his brother Thomas Rowland Swann and his cousins Ernest Rowland Swann, Jr., Elizabeth Swann Marsh Ellis, and William Marsh, Jr. Services will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, 118 South Bois D Arc, on Thursday, December 23, at 2:00 P.M. 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 South Bois D Arc Avenue, Tyler, TX 75702, The Alzheimer’s Alliance of East Texas, 211 Winchester St, Tyler, Texas 75701, or a charity of your choice.

Franklin Swann,

June 3, 1921 - December 19, 2010