​Willa Marie Swofford was born on October 23, 1938 in Enterprise, Alabama to the late Wallace Lightner and Robbie Lightner.

She went home to be with the Lord on Monday, August 19, 2024 surrounded by her beloved husband of 59 years of marriage,Thomas Swofford, daughters: Melissa, Allison and Amy, grandsons Robbie Smith, Curtis Swofford, neices: Robbie Lytle, Betty Woodson and Triza Butcher-Smith, Kisha Cunningham and nephew, Brad Cunningham and close friends.

She came to Canton, Ohio in 1950, and graduated from Canton McKinley Senior High School in 1956.

On October 24, 1964 she married the love of her life, Thomas Swofford in Canton, Ohio at People Baptist Church. This union beget three wonderful daughters-Melissa, Allison and Amy.

She was employed and retired from Timken Company after 30 years of service as a Checker. She was a long time member of People Baptist Church where she served on the kitchen ministry, participated in the women's ministry and joyfully sung in the Jubilee, Mass Choir and Combined choirs.

She enjoyed being a member of the Alabama Green County Club, the Red Hats, Eastern Stars and the old Canton South neighborhood club on 33rd Street S.W. and Charlene Street S.W.

She loved to travel, going to the casinos, working on her fill in numbers puzzle books, watching The Game Show Network channel or watching mysteries television shows, reading mysteries book novels, bowling, playing Bid Whiz and other card games. Also, she enjoyed being around family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Wallace Lightner and Robbie Lighter. Four older brothers: Alfred Haygood, Wallace Lightner, Edgar (Sonny) McNair, Robert Lightner and sister, Bessie Cunningham.

She leaves to cherish her memory, husband Thomas Swofford, three daughters: Melissa (Bill) Swofford-Moore, Allison Swofford and Amy Swofford, all of Canton, Ohio and sister Juanita Matthews of Charlotte, North Carolina. Two grandchildren: Robbie Smith and Curtis Swofford, great-granddaughter, Neveah Swofford, honary grandson Christopher Moore. Three sisters in laws: Dorothy McKinley, Elaine Lee and Phyllis Swofford and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.