David Wilburn Swayney Jr. 56, of the Big Cove Community of Cherokee, passed away unexpectedly following a brief illness at the Cherokee Indian Hospital.
David was the son of the late David Wilburn, Sr. and Katie Calhoun Swayney both of Cherokee. He was a handyman and made his way through self-employment. He was a member of the Straight Fork Baptist Church, but had attended Rock Springs Baptist recently. He was a good father and friend to those who knew him. He will be missed by all.
He is survived by his two children, Davina Swayney Ricco and husband Sal of Surprise, Ariz. and Christopher Swayney and wife Rosemarie of Sylva; brother, O.D. Swayney; sisters, Shirley Cloer, of Bryson City and Clara Driver of Cherokee; aunts, Waneema Driver, Marie Taylor Swayney and Inez Swayney Wolfe, all of Cherokee; brother-in-law, Albert “Junior” Sluder and two grandchildren, Gray and Gunner Ricco of Surprise, Ariz.
David was preceded in death by sisters, Kathy Wolfe and Brenda Sluder.
A visitation will be held on Monday, Aug. 24 at the Straight Fork Baptist church from 6-11pm with a funeral service at 2pm the following day of Tuesday, Aug. 25. Pastor Charles Ray Ball and Pastor Greg Morgan will officiate the services. An immediate burial will follow the service in the Swayney Family Cemetery with pall bearers being Roland Bradley, Buck Cloer, James Driver Jr., Steven Watty, Two Leaf Sluder and Billy Lambert.
Long House Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.