Sarah Swain

Sarah McNabb Swain, 84, of Murphy, passed away Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in a Murphy care facility.
She was a native of Cherokee County, where she lived most of her life. Sarah was a 1958 graduate of Hiwassee Dam High School and later earned a degree in Business Education from Western Carolina University. Following her marriage to Joe on July 8, 1962, they moved to the Atlanta area where she began her teaching career at Jonesboro High School.
The family then returned to Cherokee County where she taught continuing education at Tri-County Community College. She was hired by Cherokee County School Board and taught at both Andrews and Murphy High School, and Martins Creek Middle School for the next 29 years until retiring.
Sarah was a sponsor for the Future Business Leaders of America and supported students in various other activities. Following retirement, she became active with Cherokee County Retired School Personnel.
She was a lifelong Baptist having grown up in Friendship Baptist Church and upon returning to the area, became a devoted member of Murphy First Baptist Church. There she taught Sunday School, volunteered with the Sparrows Nest Ministry, provided meals with the Kitchen Committee, and was a proud member of the Red Hat Society.
Sarah enjoyed working in her flowers, cooking, reading, watching sports and NASCAR. She loved to travel, visiting all 48 continental states with her husband.
Family was her heart's devotion. She attended every activity possible for not only her children and grandchildren, but also her nieces and nephews. She loved and cherished each and every moment with them.
She was the daughter of the late Guy William and Leora Hickey McNabb, and the loving and devoted wife of the late Joe Neil Swain, who died Dec. 21, 2024. She was also preceded in death by a son, Jeff Swain; granddaughter, Leora Pearl Swain; and brother, Larry McNabb.
Surviving are her son, Greg Swain and wife Pam of Murphy; a third son, Bryan Phillips of Murphy; a sister, Linda Payne and husband Ronnie of Murphy; eight grandchildren, Ashley Swain and C.J., Breanne Roberts and Brooke, Taylor, Graham, Joe, Trey and Roman Swain, and Beth Lennox; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, with the Rev. Greg Swain officiating. Music will be provided by Robert Payne and Leslie Harris. The interment will follow in Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Graham, Joe, Trey and Roman Swain, Jonathan McNabb, Ryan and Tyler Payne.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy.
The family requests memorials be made in memory of Sarah McNabb Swain to the Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o T.L. McNabb, 186 Friendship Church Road, Murphy, NC 28906; or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, is in charge of all arrangements.
An online guest register is available at iviefuneralhome.com.