Ruth Swafford O'Leary, 94, of South Pittsburg, TN, departed her earthly home on February 23, 2022 to join her Lord and Savior, whom she has faithfully served throughout her life. She was a lifelong member of South Pittsburg First Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and directed many children's programs.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, William A. O'Leary;  parents, John Aaron and Ida Swafford;  son, Robert Allen O'Leary; son-in-law, James Earl Webb, Jr.;  grandson, Marcus Tanner O'Leary; siblings Howard Graham Swafford, John Aaron Swafford, and Rosa Lee Pancoast.

Those left to cherish her memories are  children, Dean (Sheila) O'Leary, Elizabeth O'Leary Webb, Daniel (Candy) O'Leary, and Mark (Misty) O'Leary; grandchildren, Ashley (Aaron) Thomas, Rachel (Jacob) Raplee, Ryan O'Leary, Erin (Matthew) Harveston, and Loranda Siler; great-grandson, Trenton Thomas; siblings, Geneva Pomeroy and her twin sister Ruby Brundige; several nieces and nephews; and her sweetheart of 17 years, Leonard M. Wynne.

Ruth was born and raised in Marion County and was a 1945 graduate of South Pittsburg High School, where she met and eventually married her high school sweetheart.   Throughout the years, Ruth lived in Chattanooga, Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis, New Orleans, and returned to her hometown of South Pittsburg in 1976, where she and her husband were part owners of Swafford Furniture Company. While living in Memphis, Ruth began teaching piano until her retirement at the age of 86.   She proudly served on the Marion County Commission, was a member of the Marion County Democratic Women, where she served as President several times, and was voted "Democrat of the Year" in 2002 and 2009. She was always an advocate for civil rights, equal rights, and voting rights. Ruth was the first female to serve on the Committee on Boards of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Ruth's wish was to be remembered as a good person who was honest, fair, and kind to everyone she came in contact with.

The family would like to thank her caregivers, Darlene Reed, Ashton Garner, April Carson, Aureleia Bowlin, along with the Hospice of Chattanooga team.

Pallbearers are Aaron Thomas, Matthew Harveston, Ryan O'Leary, Johnny Brundige, Bill Brundige, and Scott Morgan. Honorary Pallbearers are David Borden, Eddie Brazelton, and Graham Swafford.

Visitation will be held  Friday, February 25 from 4:00-7:00 CST at Rogers Funeral Home in South Pittsburg, TN. The service will be held Saturday, February 26 at 1:00 CST at South Pittsburg First Baptist Church, 306 5th Street, South Pittsburg, TN.,  with a visitation from 11:30 until the service begins.

Interment will follow at Sequatchie Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tennessee Baptist Children's Home: 6623 Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421.

Arrangements are entrusted to Rogers Funeral Home, 400 Laurel Avenue, south Pittsburg, TN (423) 837-7176.

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