Swannie McCracken Nichols

Swannie McCracken Nichols passed away at home surrounded by her family.

She passed away after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. She faced this battle like every other battle in her life, with the Lord right by her side. She knew there was nothing she would face that she couldn’t handle with Him as her guide. She loved camping, fishing and going to the river any chance she could get.

Swannie leaves behind her husband and best friend, Phillip; and two daughters, Emily Dotson (Kyle) and Viola Nichols (future Son-in-Law, Gerald Hedden). She is also survived by her mother, Geraleen Taylor and and preceded in death by her father, Jimmy Eugene McCracken. They spent their last few months soaking up every minute together. They brought out old home videos, looked at old pictures and talked about Heaven and how wonderful it would be to see the loved ones who have gone before us. They told each other how much they meant to one another. We do that often, but this time we let the words sink in to our souls because we knew we would need them to hold onto as we faced the months ahead. She left us with a legacy that we are proud of and that we will share until we pass it to the next generation.

Swannie had a big heart and loved big. Kids were her specialty. She never came across a child she didn’t talk to, play with, or make them feel special. In our family, from the time a baby was born or entered our family, they were “Aunt Swannie’s Baby” and as the years passed, they remained “her babies” all the way into adulthood. They each had a special bond with her and a special place in her heart.

Swannie not only had a heart for kids, but also her siblings. Linda (Joe), Clem (Susan), John (Chris), Ben (Hollis) and Anthony (Tracy) each had an unbreakable bond with her. They shared countless memories into adulthood and raising their children together. She loved all her nieces and nephews as her own and later on their children as well; she will be saving a spot in Heaven for each of them.

We would like to thank each and every person who had prayed for, reached out and cared for our family and loved Swannie. I can promise each one of you hold a special place in her heart. Our hearts have comfort because we know that Swannie is in Heaven with her Lord. She was never afraid to say how much she loved the Lord. She will be singing and clapping in Heaven’s Choir until we meet her there!

A visitation will be held 6:00pm -8:00pm Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Beck Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held 11:00am Thursday, January 16, 2025, at Battle Branch Baptist Church with Rev. Cale Stancil and Rev. Madison McCrackin. Interment will follow in Persimmon Community Cemetery with Rev. Tony Goss.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Sid Weber Memorial Fund. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 485, Rabun Gap, GA 30568.

Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is in charge of the arrangements and is honored to serve the family of Swannie Nichols. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.