Decatur
George Wesley Swopes Sr., 81, of Decatur, affectionately known as “Cuddy” and “Big Hearted,” died Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at Huntsville Hospital.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009, at 1 p.m. at Sterrs Cemetery with the Rev. Robert B. Hereford officiating and Reynolds Funeral Home directing.
Mr. Swopes was born Feb. 14, 1927, in Lawrence County to Sadie Jackson and Green Cook. He was reared by a special uncle, Buster Swopes, and a special aunt, Celia Thompson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Jessie Lee Jackson, Irene Jackson and Carlene Jackson-Young; one brother, Jeffries Moody Sr.; two sons, Todd Randall Swopes and the Rev. John M. Owens; one daughter, Georgia Mae Swopes; and a foster brother, Frank Thompson.
He wed the love of his life, Dorothy Garrett, in 1945. To this union, 19 children were born. He accepted Christ as his Savior and Lord and became a member of Wayman Chapel AME Church in Decatur under the Rev. Robert Hereford. He worked at Monsanto, now Solutia, where he retired after 30 years of service.
He is survived by his wife; nine daughters, Lendia Swopes, Mattie Burks (Robert), Joyce Oliver, Regina Swopes, Sharon White (Cecil), Sebrina Swopes and LaTanya Swopes, all of Decatur, Jacklen Robinson (Leonard) of Brentwood, Tenn., and Celia Cotten of Severn, Md.; seven sons, Lawrence Swopes, Jeffery Swopes (Sharon), Tony Swopes and Darrick Swopes (Rekita), all of Decatur, George Swopes Jr. of Morrow, Ga., Buster Swopes (Willie) of Lawton, Okla., and Gregory Swopes (Inga) of Baltimore, Md.; 45 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.
This obituary was originally published in the Decatur Daily.
