Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

September 14, 2016

Otis Lee Swords Jr., 87, of Charlotte, NC, died September 14, 2016 at Novant Presbyterian Medical Center. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia on October 1, 1928 to Otis Lee Swords and Mary Esther Dodgen Swords. Otis grew up in Decatur, Georgia and graduated from Decatur Boy's High School. He was also a graduate of Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky and the Lexington Theological Seminary. Prior to seminary, Otis married Joyce Marie Catlett with whom he would share the rest of his life.

While at Lexington, Otis served the Millville Christian Church. Following seminary, Otis would serve as a minister in Disciples of Christ Churches in Monroe, Georgia, Vicksburg, Mississippi and Charlotte where he served at First Christian Church and was the founding minister of SouthPark Christian Church. In retirement he was an avid and accomplished smallmouth bass fisherman, enjoying nature's beauty and solitude. However, his greatest joy in life was his family, whom he loved deeply and unconditionally.

In addition to his wife, Joyce, Otis is survived by their three children, Judy Mitcham and her husband, Mitch of Greensboro, NC, Jim Swords and his wife, Judy of Waxhaw, NC and Amy Coor and her husband, Charlie of Lawrenceville, Georgia; grandchildren, Jason Mitcham and his wife, Erika, Laura Bradshaw and her husband, Bart, Douglas Swords and his wife, Darden, Jillian Swords, Caitlin Swords, Hilary Coor and her husband, Chris Hettenkofer and Elliott Coor; great-grandchildren, Sawyer Swords, Claire and Miles Hettenkofer; and a sister, Anne Alexander and her husband, Dave of Jacksonville, Florida.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Otis Lee Swords Jr. will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, October 1, 2016 at SouthPark Christian Church with the Reverend Bruce Baker-Rooks officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. Interment will be private.

Memorials may be made to the Otis and Joyce C. Swords Endowment Fund at Lexington Theological Seminary, 230 Lexington Green Circle, Suite 300, Lexington, Kentucky 40503 or to the Permanent Fund of SouthPark Christian Church, 6650 Park South Dr., Charlotte, NC 28210.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Services 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC, 704-641-7606.