Born in Kingsport March 21, 1938, he graduated from Douglass High School, was employed by Eastman Kodak Company, and Holston Valley Medical Center before attending North Carolina A & T University. He then pursued an outstanding career in the U.S. Army and retired as a Master Sgt. after 26 years of service. Sarge returned to Kingsport in 1981. He owned and operated “Sarge's Place Restaurant” in the Riverview Community for 31 years. He will be remembered for his famous tank burgers, love dust sauce, and the saying “you don’t need no teeth to eat my beef”.
Sarge was a brother of the Clinch Mountain Lodge Elks #531 and a member of the American Legion Post of Kingsport.
Sarge was a pillar of the Riverview community and will be greatly missed by all that knew him.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Fannie M. Murrell; his father, James E. Swafford; father-in-law, Lowell A. Webb, Sr.; son-in-law, Kirk Grady; and brother-in-law, Fredrick P. Mills, S r.
He is survived by his loving devoted wife of 40 years, Mrs. Olivia Swafford; sons, Eddie Swafford (April), James Swafford, Jr. (Jamie); daughter, Tanya Grady of Delaware; and mother-in-law, Rosemary Webb; sisters-in-law, Sylvia Mills, Lois Lawson, all of Philadelphia, Pa.; brother-in-law, Lowell Webb, Jr. (Evelyn) of Hockessin, Del.; grandchildren, Devaun Swafford, Jalen Grady, Jalen Swafford Burgess, Trahson Swafford White, Kariah Grady, Shadae Swafford, Malaya Swafford, Skysha Swafford, Dru Swafford White, Alanta Swafford, Jaliyah Swafford; one godchild, Nika Tarter; and a host of family and friends.
Visitation will be at the Central Baptist Church, Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. followed by funeral services at 7 p.m. with Rev. Ricardo Dorcean and Rev. Dr. Anthony Daniels officiating the service.
Burial will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Mountain Home Veteran’s Cemetery with military rites by the Tennessee U.S. National Guard. Cortege will depart Central Baptist Church at 10 a.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family at raclarkfuneralservice@yahoo.com. Mr. James William Swafford Sr. and family are in the care of R.A. Clark Funeral Service Inc. (423) 245-4971.
