Linda Calline Reitzel Swann

Linda Swann, 87, passed peacefully in her sleep on Monday, October 20, 2025. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, Allie Swann.
Born to Elva Lou and James Tapley in April 1938, in Jacksonville, Florida, Linda was adopted at the age of six by her stepfather, Harold Reitzel, who became her father in all regards. Linda's brother and half-sister, James and Cindy Reitzel, rounded out the family. A career military man, Linda's father was moved regularly and deployed a number of times, leading the family to be become a true "military family" with home not a location but the family itself. Linda attended numerous grade schools as well as attended high school in Germany during her father's deployment before returning with her family to the US to finish the last half of her senior year of high school in Washington. She attended the University of Washington before joining her family at her father's final assignment at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville.
Linda worked for the US Army Civil Service and enjoyed a rich social life in the growing community. In 1959, Linda's mother played matchmaker, inviting Allie Swann to Sunday dinner. Linda and Allie dated sporadically until Spring 1962, when the spark finally lit. They became engaged and married in July 1962. Allie and Linda lived in Sherwood Park, and both worked at NASA until Linda became a stay-at-home mom with the birth of their first child, Cynthia, one year and a day after their first wedding anniversary. Cynthia was followed in quick order by twins, Steven and Douglas, Hallie, and Laura. Linda returned to work at NASA after a nearly 20-year hiatus, and joined the Personnel Department, where she proudly worked until 1999.
Joining Allie in retirement, Linda and Allie quickly transitioned to enjoying being grandparents and caring for all of the grandchildren at their home for "Camp Buddy" during Summer, Spring and Fall breaks. Linda was called Buddy by her grandchildren and stories of time spent together are some of the 12 grandchildren's fondest, funniest memories. Linda and Allie loved their children and truly enjoyed helping to raise all of their grandchildren.
Linda will be remembered as a loving wife, mom, and grandmother who loved travelling with family to St. George Island, time at the pool, time with friends in the neighborhood and the Bridge Club, her time as a Band Parent for Grissom Bands, and especially Camp Buddy.
Linda was preceded in death by her husband, Allie Swann, and her brother, Jimmy Reitzel. Survivors include her sister, Cindy Towry; children, Cynthia Diaddario (Dave), Steven (Beth), Douglas (Katherine), Hallie Swann (Pat Moffatt), and Laura Swann; and 12 grandchildren, Joshua Miller (Mariel), Lauren Parker, Calleene Newberry (David), Cole Parker (Sara), Anna Swann, Caroline Mumma (Zach), Kaytlin Swann, Eli Swann, Emma Swann, Sarah Swann, Rutherford Craddock, and Dennison Craddock; and great-grandchildren, Levi and Lennox Miller, and Miller Newberry.
In honoring Linda's desire for "a party, not a funeral", the family will have a private Celebration of Life, followed by visitation for friends at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 26, at Linda and Allie's home in South Huntsville.
Linda's family ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Children's Garden at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens or to Burritt Museum.