- Date Of Birth: June 10, 1913
- Date Of Death: October 20, 2014
- State: Alabama
Mrs. Pauline “Mama Sally” Odell Whitfield Swoope was born June 10, 1913 to Ms. Eliza Baker and Mr. Aaron Whitfield, in Lawrence County. Our truly beloved departed this life on October 20, 2014 peacefully at her home. She loved the Lord and confessed a hope in Christ at an early age at First Baptist Church of Hillsboro. She was 101 years old.
In 1938, she married Joseph Swoope Sr.; he preceded her in death in August 1966 after 28 years of marriage. Their union resulted in eight children; four sons who likewise preceded her in death; Henry, Joseph Jr., Willie Mack and Charles Swoope, and four daughters.
Although she was not a lady of many words, when she spoke family members listened attentively. Mama Sally was loved by everyone who encountered her discreet presence. As the matriarch of the family, she played an enormously vital role in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s lives. She is best known for her sense of humor and modest wit, working diligently in her front yard (racking her leaves) and her love for The Young & the Restless. Mama Sally lived to be a local American Centenarian and was recognized by her family in June 2013 for her 100th birthday. During her lifetime she lived through both World Worlds, heard the first radio stations go on the air, cars became commonplace, lived through the Great Depression, saw a man on the moon, the invention of the telephone and cellphone and the development of the computer & internet. Seventeen different presidents were sworn into office from Woodrow Wilson to Barack Obama. She was truly blessed with longevity of life.
She leaves to cherish her memory four daughters; Edna Swoope, Julie Spencer (Curtis) and Ruth Yarbrough (Carl), all of Cleveland Ohio, and Viviane Boyd of Hillsboro, Alabama, two sisters; Rebelle Elliott and Maggie Moore of Decatur Alabama; 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
