Lee “Mack” Swift passed from this life, May 21, 2014, in Elizabethton, Tenn., his childhood home, while he was visiting his sister. He was the son of Rodney E. Swift and June Ward Swift, who preceded him in death. Mack was born on May 11, 1941 in Mountain City, Tenn. He was baptized at Valley Forge United Methodist Church, Valley Forge, TN.
Mack is survived by his loving wife, Joan Brown Swift of Staunton (married August 17, 1963); as well as by his son, Mark David Swift of Washington, Pa.; his daughter, Susan Elizabeth Swift Gibbs and her husband, W. Wayt Gibbs, of Redmond, Wash.; and his grandson, William Wayt “Liam” Gibbs VII. He is also survived by his sister, Jacqueline McKinney (Alvin McKinney); his brother, Keith Swift; as well as by his niece, Cherity Bennett (Chad Bennett) and Ethan Bennett, his nephew; his brother-in-law, William Brown and his children, Amy, Jonathan and Laurie. He was preceded in death by two nephews, Michael and Jeffrey McKinney.
An alumnus of Emory and Henry College, Mack Swift graduated (B.S.) from East Tennessee State University and received his master’s degree (M.S.) from James Madison University.
An educator, teacher, and coach, Mack Swift spent his life teaching U.S. and World History, teaching drama, and coaching football and girl’s tennis, first at Huguenot High School in Richmond, Va., and then at Riverheads High School and Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton. After his retirement from Lee High School, he continued to teach at Blue Ridge Community College until his death.
Mack was an active member of Oak Grove Theater, serving on their board for 35 years, and a member of the Staunton Lion’s Club. He served as an elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church. A master storyteller, he shared stories both solo and with his wife through their business, Tales in Tandem.
A Celebration of Mack’s life was held at Covenant Presbyterian Church, Sunday, May 25, 2014, at 5PM. His family received friends Saturday, May 24, 2014 from 6 to 8PM at Coffman Funeral Home.
