Shirley C. Swafford

Shirley Dean Lee Crawford Swafford was born to John and Grace Landry Lee on October 23, 1929 in New Orleans, Louisiana. During her formative years, Shirley lived in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana with her grandparents, Lawrence and Emily Landry. She attended the public school system in Jefferson Parish; Dayton, Ohio and New York City where she was graduated from Julia Richman High School. Shirley attended Morgan State College in Baltimore, Maryland and was graduated from Morgan in 1952. She would go on to earn a Master's Degree from that same Institution. While at Morgan Shirley met and married Orville A. Swafford. To this union a daughter Alisa Diane Swafford was born. She was the apple of her parent's eye and remained so until their deaths. Shirley also reared two other children: April N. Burroughs an adopted son LeRoy Cunningham. After briefly being employed by the Department of Social Services, Shirley chose a job as a teacher in the Baltimore City Public School System. Being a teacher was Shirley's calling in her professional life. Her career as a teacher spanned close to forty (40) years. As an elementary educator, she spent a number of years in the classroom, which she enjoyed immensely. She was subsequently elevated t the position of Master Teacher. She completed her career with this title. Besides educating children, Shirley's other passions were community development, maintaining her large circle of friends, and nurturing her spiritual development. To those ends, Shirley was a member of at least six organization: The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, The Gems (a social club), Chums Inc. (a women's friendship organization), WoBeCo (a community development organization), Spockettes (a childhood learning and development organization), and the Red Hatters (a social group). She variously served in officer positions as a member of these organizations. In practicing her religious faith, Shirley was an active member at least four churches: St. James Episcopal, Holy Trinity Episcopal, Heritage United Church of Christ, and The Open Church (which she co founded). Most recently, Shirley visited and participated in the Mount Washington Methodist Church. Shirley also enjoyed social events, music, travel (especially cruising), and fishing. On September 24, 2018, at 10:30pm, Shirley passed away peacefully after a brief illness. By her side were her son Le Roy Cunningham and her minister Rev. Dr. Arnold W . Howard. She is survived by: a son Le Roy Cunningham; a son-in-law Jesse Murphy, two grandsons Jason and Justin Scott; five great grandchildren; cousins Yvonne Richardson-Dixon, Brett and Carol Richardson, Thelma and Wanda Richards and their families; as well as a host of godchildren. Shirley has directed that her estate be converted to a scholarship fund for students at Morgan State University and that those wishing to make contributions do so to The United Negro College Fund.

Tributes

Shirley C. Swafford

October 23, 1929 - September 24, 2018