Jeffrey N. “Smurf” Swain, 52, of Murphy, passed away Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, in an Asheville hospital.
He was born in Fulton, County, Ga., but was raised in Cherokee County, where he then lived throughout his life.
He was a 1985 graduate of Murphy High School.
Jeff had worked for Terminix for 27 years before going to work at John Boy Exterminating for the past four years.
Jeff enjoyed golfing, bowling, hunting and fishing with his large group of friends. He was a sports fan of all sports and enjoyed the fantasy football league. Jeff had coached youth basketball for many years and little league baseball for several years also.
He was a member of the Baptist faith.
He was the grandson of the late Guy and Leora McNabb, and Pearl and Hattie Jo Swain. He was the son of Joe Neil and Sarah Rose McNabb Swain of Murphy.
Surviving, in addition to his parents, are his loving wife, Becky of Murphy; three daughters, Ashley Swain of Knoxville, Tenn., Breanne Swain of Candler, and Bethannie Lennox of Fenton, Mich.; a stepdaughter, DeEtte Bingham and husband Thomas of Old Fort; a brother, Greg Swain and wife Pam of Murphy; two step grandchildren, Michalyn Williams and husband Bert and Garrett Bingham. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, with the Revs. Chris West, Aud Brown and Greg Swain officiating. The interment was in Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Chad and Daniel McNabb, David and Robert Payne, and Graham and M. Joe Swain. Honorary pallbearers were Eric Teague, Tony Williams, Gary Thompson, Dexter Hubbard Sr. and Eric Sneed.
The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, at Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy.
Family requests memorials be made in memory of Jeffrey Neil Swain to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 or Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o T.L. McNabb, 186 Friendship Church Road, Murphy, NC 28906.
Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, was in charge of all arrangements.
An online guest register is available at iviefuneralhome.com.