The Family Tribute
Earth has no sorrow, that Heaven cannot heal.
Mrs. Jannie Louise Swift Smyre, affectionately known as “Grandma Jannie or Mama Jannie” 69, of 1336 11th St. Statesville North Carolina passed away on Thursday, November 30, 2017 at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville. She was born in Iredell County on June 23, 1948 and was the daughter of the late Willie Swift and Ulla Belle Parks Swift. She was married to Johnny Smyre, who preceded her in death. In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by one son, Jemond Carson; two sisters, Berthine Ford Revels; a special sister, Andrea Jordan; two brothers, Edward Swift and D.L. Swift; a special brother, EuGene Swift; a nephew, Gregory Swift; three grandsons, Hurel Jr., Joe Jr., and Joe Anthony; a great nephew, Vince DeShawn Parks; a daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Booe and a son-in-law, Early Vince Booe, III.
Mrs. Jannie attended Morningside School in Statesville. Her occupation was a mechanic/maintenance woman at Econo Lodge where she was employed for many years. She loved the challenge of repairing things, she enjoyed fishing, playing bingo and playing cards with family and friends as well as listening to music, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her loved ones. Mrs. Jannie was well loved and respected in the community and was known for her kind heart and opening up her home to those in need without hesitation.
She leaves to cherish the memory of her life fourteen children, Tony Swift, Franklin (Keena) Smyre, John Smyre, Brian Smyre, Roger Smyre of the home, Tremayne (Anitha) Smyre, Roy (Serena) Smyre, Calvin Smyre of the home, Thomas Swift, Anthony Smyre of the home, all of whom resides in Statesville; four daughters; Darlene (Robert) Dalton (Harmony), Natasha (James) Smyre, Tamika (Marvin) Smyre-Caldwell and Regina (Joseph) Parsons, all of Statesville; a sister, Louise (Larry) Swift; sixty-three grandchildren Tiylisa Smyre, Christina Smyre, Michael Swift, Olandis (Larissa) Chambers, Brian, Sara, Candace Smyre, Daphanie Smyre, Jasmine (Allan) McDowell, Briana Smyre, Josiah Smyre, O’Brian Smyre, Ashton Smyre, Bryson Smyre, Johntae Carr, Anthony Smyre, Johnnika Smyre, Keia (Preston) Ramsuer, Johnny Smyre, Janetia Smyre, Michael, Roy, Tyler, Sharrone Murdock, Devonte Murdock, Savion Smyre, Sha’Onna, Na’chedyn Smyre, Byron Smyre, Tilden Miller, Kayden (Paul) Cromwell, Chantel Leach,Chantez Leach, Leroy Smyre, Malachi Ramsuer, Aaliyah, Jalischiyah Parsons, Raquelle Parsons, Fantasia Parsons, TyShawn Parsons, NaRog Parsons, Nasir Parsons, Jaques Parsons, JoShawn Parsons, Kentavious Parsons, and Princess Parsons, Ameah-Nova, Tylonda Smyre, Tey’Kian Dye, Tey’Honnah Dye, Tyrone Dye, Tykeria Swift, Jessica Morrow, Yolanda Guerra, Yn’Nence Lackey, Janavya Francis, Jayden Francis, Jacob Francis, Jaiele Smyre, Ace, Nirvanna Mills, Katricia Mack, Johnathan Mack and Andrian Mack, fifty-nine great grandchildren; three nieces, Henrietta Griffin, Josephine Phillips and Penny (Viranno) Kimbrough; three nephews, Derrick Parks, David Lawrence and Lenny McIntosh; in addition to her natural children, she also helped raise many others including Wayne Gorley, Sara Moss, (Chelsie Moss, Preston Ellis) Michael Moss (TyQwan Blackwell) Morris (Dana) Moss, Marcus Brown, Felicia Brown, Talicia Brown, Shannon Brown; special friends, James Clarke, Thomas Reid, Devonte Daniels, Jamie Smyre, Patricia Ann Brown-White, Tasha Odom and a host of other relatives whom she loved very much.

Celebration of Life Services will be conducted Tuesday, December 5, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. at The Cove in Statesville. Mike Madding, Senior Pastor of The Cove and Pastor Michael Turner, Officiating. Mrs. Smyre will remain at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home until taken to the church to lie in state at 12:30 p.m. Members of the family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m., until 2:00 p.m., but will assemble at the residence at other times.
Family will also gather at the funeral home from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday evening.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jannie Louise Smyre (Swift), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.