DeLois Barnes Swain

Mrs. DeLois Barnes Swain 94,of Charlotte,NC.passed away Friday,February 22,2019 at her residence.Funeral service will be held Friday, March 1,2019 at Grace AME Zion Church 3722 David Cox Rd. Charlotte, NC 28269. Visitation will begin at 10:30 am and the service will follow at 11:00 am. Interment will follow in Oaklawn Cemetery 1601 Oaklawn Ave. Charlotte, NC 28216

For almost 95 years there was a sweet, sweet spirit that walked among us. We called her DeLois Barnes Swain. She had a radiant smile, a word of encouragement, a kind heart, and a strong constitution. She exemplified love and she received love.

DeLois Barnes was the youngest child born to Rom Linney and Minnie Bertha Carlton Barnes. She was born in Eckman, West Virginia on April 12, 1924, She joined a family with three other siblings, David Barnes, Arthur Barnes, and 011ie Barnes (Smith).

Soon after her birth, the family moved to Alexander County, the town of Taylorsville, North Carolina. In Taylorsville, DeLois completed her Elementary and Secondary School Education. Even though it was not the norm in that town, or for that time her Mother was determined that her girls would obtain College Educations. DeLois left Taylorsville for Winston Salem Teachers College (now Winston Salem State University), and as a member of the Class of 1945, she earned a BA degree in Elementary Education. She also earned advanced certifications from New York University, Atlanta University, and Columbia University.

After graduating from Winston Salem TC, DeLois returned home to Taylorsville as a Teacher in the Alexander County Schools. Moving to Charlotte in the 1950’s, she obtained a teaching position with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, first at Northwest Junior High School and then at Northeast Junior High School, where she retired. DeLois was a dedicated and loving teacher who always had her students’ best interest at heart. During her professional life, she was a member of the North Carolina Association of Educators, the NEA, and the Retired School Personnel Association.

Socially, DeLois loved playing pinochle with a group of ladies since the 1960’s. The club was organized as a neighborhood gathering to get to know each other in the newly built Oaklawn Park Community.

DeLois grew up In the St. John Baptist Church in Taylorsville. After marriage, she converted to Methodism (African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church), becoming a continuous and devoted member of Grace AME Zion Church. There, she was a member of the Helping Hand Club, the Sunday School, the Century Club, the Missionary Society, and the Deaconess Board.

At Winston Salem Teachers College, she met Joseph Allen Swain. They married on June 8, 1946, and remained a loving couple until his death in 2011. They shared 65 years as husband and wife. Added to this perfect union are two cherished sons, Brandt Allen Swain and Joel Wellington Swain.

DeLois Barnes Swain was blessed with a long, beautiful life which will always be cherished by her sons, Brandt Allen Swain (Gwyndolen) and Joel Wellington Swain (Elouise); Grandchildren, Amber, Myeisha, Christina, Nehemijel, Cherree, and Tiffany. (Grayson LaVine, a grandson preceded her in death); Great grandchildren, James, Julian, Justus, Myles, Lydon and Grayson, Jr; Nieces, Martha Rowe Richardson, Faith Ann Barnes, Charlotte Swain Pratt; Nephews, Johnny Smith (Romeda), Van Barnes, and Noble Swain; Special Cousins, Liz Mozell Rowe and Anna Kate Davis; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.