Clyde Cecil “Scrapper” Carswell

Clyde Cecil “Scrapper” Carswell ,91, died peacefully in the afternoon of November 17th, 2018. Born in Burke County in May 15th, 1927 on a small farm on the south bank of the Catawba River off of Snow Hill Church Road where he spent his childhood, he is the son of the late William C. Carswell and Minnie Lee Bumgarner Carswell. The family moved to McDowell County on a family owned farm near Muddy Creek and later moved back to Burke County after marrying Bertha Biggerstaff.  He held his current residence for almost 60 years.

Like his two older brothers Sam and Lenoir Carswell, immediately after high school, Scrapper was inducted into the U.S. Army and served during the occupation of Germany receiving the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal for his service. After his military service, Scrapper started his work career at the Carbon Plant and soon became supervisor of finishing and shipping. He retired after 44 years of service. Scrapper was very active and had a passion for planting gardens and doing yard work at his beloved home. Scrapper loved to walk the Freedom High School Track and the River Walk with his friends and ate breakfast most mornings at the Silver Creek Diner. Scrapper gave unselfishly to his family, friends and community.  He helped countless people attend college and would give to those in need with hardly an expectation of anything in return. He was a friend to many and will be greatly missed. Scrapper was the youngest of 12 children of William Calloway Carswell and Minnie Lee Bumgarner, and many nephews and nieces.

Clyde is survived by his sons, Ronnie L. Carswell, E. Tony Carswell, C. Steve Carswell (Sarah); grandchildren, Zack Carswell, Amanda Carswell, Shannon Harvey, Sharron Arangio (Joseph), Steven Carswell (Kyla); great grandchildren, Conner, Ella, Amelia, Olivia, Calloway, Bryson, Giavanna, George, Rachel, Sarah, Natalie.

In addition to his parents, Scrappy was preceded in death by his children, Linda Darlene Carswell Edney, Danny Carswell and Kathy Carswell; siblings, Manley Carswell, Walter Carswell, Ben Carswell, James Carswell, Pearl Fox, Mary Lou Childress, Nora Lee Powell, Sam Carswell, Lenoir Carswell, Irene Lawson, Annie Mae Carswell.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2:30 p.m. Friday, November 23, 2018 at Sossoman Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. in the Colonial Chapel of the funeral home with the Revs. Jim Tabor and Steven Carswell officiating. Burial will follow at Snow Hill UMC Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the NC National Guard and Caldwell County Veterans Honor Guard.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.