Sandra Seymour

Sandra Swafford Seymour, 75, of Signal Mountain, passed away in a local hospital surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013, after an extended illness. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was born in Chattanooga on Feb. 8, 1938, to the late Hollis and Virginia Smith Swafford. Sandra graduated from City High School and from Emory and Henry College. She did her graduate study at The University of Tennessee and The University of Georgia. Before retiring in 2002, she had a successful 32 year career as an educator, serving as a teacher of office technology and computer applications in the state of Georgia Vocational/Technical College System. As a teacher, her personable manner and warm demeanor endeared her to hundreds of students over the years. Previously, before becoming a teacher, she had been executive secretary for six years to Dr. Joe Johnson, subsequent president of the University of Tennessee System; and for two years to Dr. Charles Renaisson, UTC Vice Chancellor. During retirement, she busied herself with her grandchildren, hobbies, and volunteer work at her church. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Bill Seymour of Signal Mountain; son, Greg (April) Seymour, and grandchildren Autumn, Owen, Caedmon, Kibrom and Frewyni Seymour, of Signal Mountain; daughter, Elizabeth (Jeremy) Owen; and grandchildren, Audrey and Wyatt Owen, of Longmont, Colo.; brother, Hollis (Marilyn) Swafford, of Olive Branch, Miss.; sister, Karen (Fred) Iverson, of Yorba Linda, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service to honor Sandras life will be held at First-Centenary United Methodist Church on Saturday, December 28, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. The family will meet friends in the church Narthex for one hour before the service. The will be no visitation at the funeral home. The family is very appreciative to Dr. Stephen Depasquale and his wonderful staff for the sensitive and compassionate care which Sandra received during her illness. Also, special thanks to Dr. Patrick McGinty and the staff at Memorial Hospital for their attentiveness to Sandra and her family in her hospital stay. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her honor to First-Centenary United Methodist Church for International Orphan Adoption. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com. Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 404 S. Moore Road.