Willis Swint

Cicero Willis Swint, 88, passed away Thursday morning, December 15, 2016 surrounded by his family. He was known as much for his perfectly waxed handlebar mustache as he was his generous heart, love of family and unwavering faith in both God and the Georgia Bulldogs. Mr.Swint was predeceased in death by his parents Edgar Jewel Swint, Sr. and Marie Louise (Willis) Swint, brothers Edgar J. Swint, Jr., Robert F. Swint, Blakely R. Swint, and sister Dorothy Sims. He is survived by his wife, Beverly Cartledge Swint, daughters Susan Stewart of Hampton, GA; Shirley Bradley (Dr. R. Andrew) of Macon, GA; Sherry Swint of N. Fort Myers, FL; and son Roger Willis Swint (Kathy) of Jonesboro. And grandchildren Stephanie Spillane, Valerie Holz, John Willis Bradley, James Bradley, Melanie Henderson, Joel Bradley, Natalie Stewart, Hannah Rewis, Olivia Swint, Adam Willis Swint, and Eric Swint as well as 7 great grandchildren and sisters Frances (Vern) Wynn and Martha (Herbert) Sherer. Born in Milner, GA, Swint moved with his family in 1933 to Jonesboro, when his father bought Planter's Gin & Manufacturing Co. He graduated from Jonesboro High School in 1945 and from the University of Georgia in 1950 with a Bachelor of Animal Husbandry. Afterward, he returned to Jonesboro and made it his lifelong home. In 1949, he took neighbor and family friend Beverly Dean Cartledge to see a movie. And that was all it took. They were married July 23, 1950. Back in Jonesboro, he worked at the feed store with father, which in 1958 became Swint's Feed & Garden Supply, frequented and loved by generations of Jonesboro families. Over the years, Swint became known for generously giving out gardening advice, telling good jokes and lending out a grandson to carry a heavy purchase. He also began a 40-year tenure with the Jonesboro Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as the department's chief in the late 1960s. In 1940, with his father, he began keeping rainfall measurements as a cooperative weather observer for the National Weather Service. After 55 years of reporting, he'd received numerous awards, including The Thomas Jefferson Award for Weather Observing Excellence, the most prestigious award given by the National Weather Service, in a ceremony in 2015. Over the years he volunteered as a Boy Scout leader, sang proudly in the church choir and served as chairman of Jonesboro Housing Authority. On the rare occasion he wasn't working, he enjoyed golfing, woodworking and visiting Disney World with his grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, December 17, 2016 in the Chapel of the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro with Rev. Irvin Pearre and Rev. Jack Nelson officiating. Burial will follow at Jonesboro Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM, Friday, December 16, 2016 at the funeral home.

Tributes

Willis Swint

November 30, 1928 - December 15, 2016