Donald O'Neil Swaim

Winston-Salem- Donald O'Neil Swaim, 80, passed on to Heaven Sunday morning, August 4, 2013 at his second home, Brighton Gardens of Winston-Salem. Mr. Swaim was born August 22, 1932 in Hamptonville, NC to Claude and Bertha Swaim. He moved to Winston-Salem in 1965 where he lived the rest of his life. Mr. Swaim graduated from Jonesville High School. He served in the Army during the Korean War, honorably discharged in 1955. He worked over 40 years for Western Electric/AT&T and loved every day, retiring twice. Mr. Swaim was an active member of the Piedmont/Pioneer Masonic Lodge #685 where he was Past Master. He also was very loyal to the Winston-Salem Elks Lodge #449 where he served in many capacities including Exalted Ruler. He and his wife, Cat, made many life-long friends through their service to these organizations. Later in their years, he and Cat enjoyed reuniting with Dad's Army buddies and went to several reunions. Mr. Swaim leaves behind his only daughter, Melanie Swaim Barbee of Lewisville, who cherished him as only a daughter can. Her husband, Todd Barbee, was like a son to Mr. Swaim. But it was Madeleine Rose, his granddaughter who was named after Mr. Swaim's mother, who captured his heart. He used to tell her that she was his favorite granddaughter and she rebutted that she was his only granddaughter. It didn't make any difference to Papa, she was his favorite of all of us. He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings - Clero Swaim, Granville Swaim, Delpha Stroud, and Auba Myers Calloway. He lost the love of his life five years ago, his wife Catherine Walls Swaim, whom he missed every single day after her death. Mr. Swaim's funeral service with full Masonic rites will be held in the Chapel at Hayworth Miller in Lewisville, NC. The service will be Tuesday, August 6 at 11:00 AM. There will be a private entombment to follow at Westlawn Gardens of Memory in Clemmons. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to an organization of the donor's choice. Melanie would like to thank all the staff of Brighton Gardens who took such good care of Dad for over four years. She would also like to thank Lynn McKnight, niece of Mr. Swaim, who visited Dad every week and was always there for support and love. He loved her dearly. On line condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

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