It is with both grief and joy that we announce the Christmas Eve homegoing of Martha Kathryn Finch Swicord to her Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ and all the saints in Heaven. Kay was a much beloved daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. She is preceded in death by her parents, Wister and Lula Finch, husband Allen Swicord, sister Dimple (Horace) Hall, sister Helen (Bill) White, sister Margaret (Larry) Conway, brother Billy Finch, daughter Deborah (Charlie Monaghan) Martin, step-son Chris Swicord, granddaughter Sally Bodenhamer, nephew Larry Conway Jr, and numerous extended family members.
Kay is survived by her sister-in-law Glen Finch, step-daughter Cheryl (Fred) Bodenhamer, son Michael (Fran) Martin, son Dennis (Judith Ammons) Martin, daughter Barbara (Scott) Layden, son in law Charlie, grandchildren Laura (Louis) Landwehr, Bret (Emma) Bodenhamer, Josh (Andrea Kitzmiller) Martin, Brian (Sumner) Smith, and Nicholas Smith, and great grandchildren, Natalie Landwehr, Nicole Landwehr, Aliyuh Martin, Henry Smith, Brooks Bodenhamer, Beau Bodenhamer, and Brecklyn Bodenhamer.
Though never long enough, Kay lived a wonderful and full life. She was born and raised in New Site, MS and graduated as Valedictorian of her class. She went on to graduate with a nursing degree from Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1955 and was a devoted nurse throughout the rest of her life. She loved all things family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved attending Bible Study and Sunday School with her favorite friends in Memphis, TN and then in Franklin, TN, and serving with the Room in the Inn program at her church. Kay was married to Al in 1974 and they enjoyed years of traveling domestically and abroad, serving under the Zaman Grotto, square dancing, hosting family and friends, and loving life. After Al’s death in 2004, Kay moved to Franklin, TN where she remained until death. Ranking high in her greatest loves were her joys in reading books and working puzzles, be they jigsaw, crossword, sudoku, or word searches!
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Franklin First United Methodist Church main campus at 120 Aldersgate Way Franklin, TN 37069 with Reverend Dr Bryan Brooks officiating. Visitation will be held beginning at 10:30am, service at 11:30am, and a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Franklin First United Methodist Church or to Nashville Public Television.