Betty Ann Swofford French

Betty Ann Swofford French, 91, passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2026 in Statesboro, GA surrounded by her loving family.

Betty was born in East Saint Louis, Illinois to the late Rita and Carl Swofford. She was a graduate of Saint Teresa Academy in East St. Louis. She met the love of her life, Jerry French, while he was stationed at Scott Air Force Base. They married on February 19, 1955 and moved to Davenport, Iowa while Jerry was in Chiropractic College. They later moved to back to East St. Louis. They then moved in 1958 with their family to Sylvania, GA which was their home for the rest of their lives together. Betty moved to Willow Pond Senior Care for her last few months.

While in Sylvania, Betty was a Girl Scout Leader, Cofounder of the Wee Care Center, and was active at Gracewood State Hospital in various support roles. She was an active member of Sylvania First Methodist Church where she served in various roles such as President of Methodist Women, Sunday School Teacher, and Annelyn Howard Circle Study Leader. She attended Nell Pace Sunday School Class, Tuesday Bible Study, and Wednesday night suppers for many years. Betty enjoyed square dancing, bowling, playing cards, traveling, and spending time with her family.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. G. A. French, her siblings Martha (Benard) Saunders, Virginia (Don) Lueke, William (Anne) Swofford, and a sister-in-law, Carol Swofford.

She is survived by her daughters, Rita (Kevin) Junco, Judy (Eddie) Reddick, Karen (Tim) Gross, and Barbara French; her grandchildren, Stacy Scott, Rocky (Lauryn) Scott, Jarod Junco, Jenny (Justin) Janney, Dusty (Amanda) Reddick, Tiffany (Michael) Kuhlman, T. J. (Rayven) Gross, Kortney Gross; her great grandchildren Ben, Ariel, Ian, Emma Claire, Chandler, Ella, Evan, Lena, Oscar, Lily, Charlotte and her brother, Ron Swofford(Carlene) and many nieces and nephews.

The visitation will be on Friday, May 8 at 10 AM at the Sylvania First Methodist Church Social Hall. The funeral will be held at 11 AM in the sanctuary.

The interment will follow at Screven Memorial Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Rocky Scott, Dusty Reddick, T. J. Gross, Justin Janney, Ben Mincey, Ian Scott

Honorary Pallbearers are members of the Nell Pace Sunday School Class and members of the Canasta Card Club.

The family would like to thank the staff of Willow Pond Senior Care and Gentiva Hospice for their loving care.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Sylvania First Methodist Church, P. O. Box 258, Sylvania, GA 30467.