FRANKLIN - Brenda Lynn Taylor McSwain, 79, died at her home in Cartoogechaye, Sunday, Jan. 22, after a long illness. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Michael McSwain; daughter, Michelle McSwain; granddaughter, Charlotte McSwain; and grand dog Lacy, all of Franklin; brother and sister-in-law, Edgar and Olene Taylor of Charlotte; sister and brother-in-law, Marcia and Butch Barney of Clemmons, and nephew Jon Taylor of Orlando, Florida.
McSwain was born in Stecoah, to Howard and Laura Medlin Taylor. She always loved school and was the valedictorian of her Stecoah High School graduating class of twelve. She moved to Franklin after graduating from Western Carolina University in 1966.
For 37 years, McSwain taught math at Franklin High School, where she never met a student that she didn’t love. Teacher superlatives in the FHS yearbook frequently honored Mrs. McSwain as jolliest, best smile, and – in less sensitive times – best legs. She was a Macon County Teacher of the Year. McSwain’s proudest accomplishment, however, was bringing an AP Calculus program to FHS.
In her retirement, McSwain became an avid golfer. She was past president of the Franklin Ladies Golf Association and a tournament director and board member of the Tom Raby Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament. She also enjoyed gardening, canning, reading, sewing, acting and Carolina basketball.
The family will receive friends at First United Methodist Church of Franklin at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association.