Mary Beauford (Harrington) Swift

Mary Beauford Harrington Swift, 97, of Kannapolis, died peacefully Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Five Oaks Manor in Concord.

Beauford was born on January 12, 1925 in Montgomery Alabama, to the late Augustus Harrington and Bessie Teague Harrington Heglar. Educated in the Kannapolis schools, she graduated from J.W. Cannon High School in 1942. After high school, Mrs. Swift began working at the former Cannon Mills in the washcloth department until she retired. She was married to her late husband Raymond Leon Swift for 49 years. She was an active member of North Kannapolis Baptist Church until she later started attending Charity Baptist Church.

Mrs. Swift enjoyed singing with her sisters in the “Harrington Quartet.” She was also in a trio at one time with her sister and cousin. Musical talent did not go unnoticed in this family. Mrs. Swift also loved to dance and would regularly attend the dances held on Friday nights at the Kannapolis YMCA.

Mrs. Swift was preceded in death by her parents, husband Leon Swift, her daughter Mary Jean Swift, her son Donald Eugene Swift, her siblings Charlie Harrington, Rev. Ray Harrington, Ora Lee Hannah, Claude Harrington, Hall Harrington, Ned Harrington, Helen Bowman, and Wrenn Rhodes. One can only imagine the reunion that is now taking place with her family.

Those left to cherish her memory, her son David Leon Swift, four grandchildren, Jimmy Scott Swift, Matthew Shane Swift (Jillian), Heather Michelle Swift, Caleb David Swift ( Anna), three great- grandchildren, Avalee Annette Rackley, Harper Ann Lyman, and Anson Cash Swift, along with her nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at Whitley’s Funeral home on Saturday, January 22, from 1pm to 2 pm followed by the funeral service at Whitley’s Funeral Home Chapel conducted by the Rev. R.J. “Beaver” Hammond. Interment will follow at Carolina Memorial Park, Kannapolis.

Memorials may be made to North Kannapolis Baptist Church, 312 Locust Street, Kannapolis, NC 28081.

Online condolences may be sent to www.whitleysfuneralhome.com