Nina Mae (Turner) Swain

Nina Mae Turner Swain was born on December 27, 1930, in Gholson, MS, to Mabel and Norman Turner, as the fourth of fifteen children.  She accepted Christ at an early age at Bluff Springs Baptist Church in Preston, MS.  Actively involved in church, she participated in the Baptist Missionary Society and church choir.  She graduated from Whisenton High School in De Kalb, MS.  On March 23, 1957, she married Lochinvar Swain of Cropwell, AL at her childhood home.  As newlyweds, they moved to Anniston, AL, and to this union, six children were born.

Mrs. Swain joined the Friendship Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. R. J. White and served faithfully for many years as a Deaconess, Sunday School teacher, Christmas and Easter program director, Senior Choir member, Missionary Society member, Baptist Training Union director, Vacation Bible School teacher and director, and much more.  She enjoyed teaching classes during the church conventions and working with the children to prepare speeches and presentations. 

When her children were young, Mrs. Swain’s day-to-day work was raising them.  She taught them to love the Lord and to do their best in the work they were given to do.  Completing their school work was a priority, and she was always ready to assist with homework assignments.  She attended football games to see them perform in the band and encouraged them to learn how to play musical instruments, such as the piano and organ.  When her grandchildren were born, she showed them the same loving devotion, always remembering birthdays, graduations, and other important events in their lives.

Mrs. Swain completed her Bachelor’s degree in Education in 1982 at Jacksonville State University.  She then began working at Anniston High School as a Home Economics teacher, where she taught for several years.  During this time, she continued her education and obtained a Master’s degree in Education in 1992 from Jacksonville State University.  She truly enjoyed her students and inspired them toward bright futures.  Many of them remembered her warmly years after graduation as their Home Economics teacher.

Mrs. Swain’s favorite hobbies were sewing, cooking, and gardening.  She made colorful crocheted afghans and spent hours quilting and making clothes for family and friends.  She was a favorite among the neighborhood children for providing cookies, cakes, and pies and made sure that Christmas cakes were always baked and ready for family and visitors to enjoy.  She could often be seen tending her flowers and the garden to pick fresh vegetables for the family’s dinner or for canning later.

On Tuesday, June 20, 2017, Mrs. Swain went home to be with the Lord.  To mourn her passing and celebrate her life, she leaves her husband of sixty years, Lochinvar Swain; children, Sharonlyne (Kenneth) Graves, Brenda (Jeff) Wahleithner, Myron (Evelyn) Swain, Cassandra Swain, and Sylvia Swain; eight grandchildren; two sisters and eight brothers; and many other relatives and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mabel and Norman Turner; two sisters, Laura Doss and Harweda Roberts; and eldest daughter, Barbara Swain.

Mrs. Swain truly loved the Lord and worked joyously for Him.   Her favorite Bible verses were “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord’” (Psalms 122:1) and “The Lord is good to all.” (Psalms 145:9)

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