Margaret B. "Jackie" McSwain, 85, passed away Thursday, July 2, 2015, at her home in Boiling Springs.

Born Nov. 30, 1929, in Anniston, Ala., she was the daughter of the late Jack and Lanier Bennett. She was preceded in death by her two husbands, William A. McSwain Sr., and Vinson W. Washburn Sr.; and a son, William A. McSwain Jr.

She graduated from Judson College in Marion, Ala., and Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Ky., where she met her first husband, who was from Cleveland County. They were married at Caswell Baptist Assembly on Oak Island and made their home in Kings Mountain. The McSwains were married for 24 years and enjoyed camping with their children and spending time at Oak Island. They were active in their church, David Baptist in Kings Mountain. She served as the church organist and was a Sunday school teacher and director of the Vacation Bible School. She was ordained as a deacon.

She received a master's degree in speech therapy from UNC-Greensboro, and taught speech and special education for 35 years, most of them in the Cleveland County School System. She also worked for 10 years at JCPenney's in Shelby. During this time she met her second husband and they were married 19 years. They enjoyed traveling, taking a trip to Israel, and often spent time at the beach.

Mrs. McSwain also played the organ for Second Baptist Church in Kings Mountain. She was a volunteer with the Greater Cleveland County Baptist Association for 23 years.

As her health declined over the last few years, the highlight of her week was attending her church, Crestview Baptist in Shelby.

She is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Jackie and Bruce Bridges of Mooresboro and Judy and Horace Weaver of Shelby; a brother and his wife, Joel and Jackie Bennett of Del Norte, Colo.; four grandchildren and their spouses, Chet and Mary Weaver of Kings Mountain, Callie and Irving Perez of Hickory, Andy Bridges of Mooresboro and William A. McSwain III of Cherryville; a great-grandson, Mason Weaver of Kings Mountain; and nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Hospice for the care they gave, and the caregivers, who treated her with love and kindness and made it possible for her to stay at home as her health declined. They especially want to thank Pat Williams of Mooresboro, who stayed with Mrs. McSwain for over six years, and Suzette Sharpe of Shelby, who cared for her for almost three years.

A celebration of life service will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, July 5, 2015, at Crestview Baptist Church, 1090 Old Boiling Springs Road, Shelby. The Revs. Ray Farrow, Stan Webb and Charles Reed will officiate. The family will receive friends following the service.

Memorials may be made to the Greater Cleveland County Baptist Association, 1175 Wyke Road, Shelby, N.C. 28150; Crestview Baptist Church, 1090 Old Boiling Springs Road, Shelby, N.C., 28150; or Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, N.C. 28150.

Arrangements by Cleveland Funeral Services & Crematory, Inc.