Elbert C. Swink

Elbert C. Swink, age 85, died July 21, 2011, due to complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Elbert was born December 28, 1925, in the Walker’s Chapel community to the late Hattie and Charlie Swink. He graduated from Morganton High School in 1943 and served in the 11th Airborne Division during World War II as a paratrooper. He was wounded outside Manilla in the Philippines in early 1945 and received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Elbert graduated from Lenoir Rhyne College in 1951 and began an almost 40 year long career at Century Furniture Company as Traffic Manager. After retirement, he and his wife Lottie retired to his family’s farm in the Walker’s Chapel community.Elbert and his wife, Lottie Huffman Swink, grew up together in the Walker’s Chapel community and were married February 15, 1946. Elbert was a member of the Jaycees and the Hickory Kiwanis Club, where for years he managed the Travelogue presentations. He was also a past President of the Club, as well as President of the Southern Furniture Manufacturer’s Traffic Association. For years he was an Elder and Clerk of the Session at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Hickory, as well as Boy Scout Master at First Baptist Church in Hickory. He most recently has served as the Treasurer of the Keller Family Memorial Scholarship Fund.Elbert is survived by his wife, Lottie; his daughter Jeanne (Simpson); son Elbert (Makarios); son in law Jim Simpson; daughter in law, Dawn Makarios; grandchildren Kyle Makarios, Matthew Makarios, Jesse Makarios, and Catherine Simpson; and great grandchildren Emma Poirier, Henry Makarios, and Maggie Makarios. He is also survived by his sister, Virginia Cresson; sisters in law Pearl Huffman, Doris Huffman, Barbara Huffman, and Chloe Swink; brothers in law Conley Moore, Fred Eichenbrenner, Hugh King, and Paul Huffman; and a number of nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.The family would like to thank Leslie Bumgarner, Brenda Huffman, Jane Abernethy, Deidra Huffman, Jeannie Whisnant, and the various caregivers from Catawba Valley Medical Services for their loving care of both Lottie and Elbert over the past months. Additionally, we are grateful for Jean Bolton, their parish nurse, and members and staff of First Presbyterian Church and Walker’s Chapel Baptist Church, who have faithfully visited and provided prayer and support. We appreciate the hard efforts of various medical staff, including Dr. Michael Stutesman and Dr. David Abernathy, their staff, the staff at Cannon Pharmacy, and the staff at Grace Hospital, who have gone out of their way to provide care for both Lottie and Elbert. This entire support group of family, friends, church, and medical staff have brought us peace and reassurance during this difficult time.The family will receive at Sossoman’s Funeral Home Saturday, July 23, from 6-8 pm. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Michael Bailey at First Presbyterian Church in Morganton on Sunday, July 24, at 3:00, with burial after the service in the Walker’s Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Elbert’s memory to the Keller Scholarship Fund, in care of Shirley Helms, 2846 Emory Rd, Morganton, NC 28655.