Josephine Davis McSwain

1930-2017

Josephine Davis McSwain, 87, passed away peacefully September 13, 2017, surrounded by her family. She was born May 13, 1930, in Columbia, South Carolina to Duncan Heyward Davis and Ethel Lilly Belle Player.

Josephine’s family moved to Utah in 1936.  She was a proud graduate of East High School.  She worked as a nursing aide at Primary Children’s Hospital.  She served in many church capacities for the 21st Ward and as a Stake Missionary in the Emigration Stake.  She met the love of her life, Harry Wallace McSwain, at a missionary reunion.  They married on September 11, 1952, in the Salt Lake Temple.  Together they raised 5 children. 

Josephine was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother.  She was dedicated to serving her family, friends, neighbors and anyone in need.  She loved music, books and a good walk.  She volunteered and worked as PTA President of Centerville Junior High School and Davis School District.  With her daughter-in-law Sheila, Josephine owned and operated a business, Homemade Haven.  She was active in the LDS Church serving in many capacities in the Bountiful 13th Ward and Bountiful North Stake.  She served with Harry as one of the first temple workers at The Bountiful Temple,  then as Humanitarian Director of the Asian Area and later in the same calling over Western Europe.

Josephine was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harry McSwain, brothers and sisters: Heyward Duncan Davis (Mary Gene), Olive Davis Homer (Gordon), Laura Davis Goldthorpe, and son-in-law, Sheldon Garrett White.  She is survived by her sisters: Helen Davis Sanders (Jerry), Linda Davis Christensen (Anthony), Cathy Davis Olson (Craige); her brother, Sanford Davis (Laura), and brother-in-laws, Elmer (Bud) L. Gillett (Sherrie) and Harold Goldthorpe; by children: David Wallace McSwain (Sheila Bangerter), Mark E. McSwain (Vonnie Bangerter), Marianne McSwain Barnett (Shari Ballard), Lydia McSwain White (Sheldon White) and Phillip Norton McSwain (Debra L.); special daughter: Terry Cirillo; 23 grandchildren;  58 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 18, 2017, at 11:00 AM in the Bountiful 13th Ward (1350 North 650 East, Bountiful). A viewing will be held from 6:00-8:00 PM on Sunday, September 17,  2017, at Russon Brothers Mortuary (295 North Main, Bountiful) and from 9:30-10:30 AM prior to the funeral service. Interment will be at the Memorial Lakeview Cemetery.