Willow Jean Anderson Swift was born September 19, 1934 to the late Ed and Eunice Smith Anderson in the Jones Chapel community of Picket County. She grew up in a tight knit family often surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters. She attended Wolf River Union Baptist Church with her family. Willow graduated from Pickett County High School in 1952, and then attended Draughns Business College in Nashville. This is where she first became acquainted with White County native William Eugene  "Bill" Swift, her future husband, describing him as "one of the rowdy boys in the back."  In the summer, she stayed with her aunts and uncles that had moved to White County, where she met Bill once again while working at Jay's Department Store. Their marriage began on Nov 8, 1953 and lasted for 62 years.

She worked as a secretary during her early career, but later became co-owner of Landowners Title Company with John Knowles. She loved to travel with her husband, friends and family. In addition to  bus trips with her mother, Willow and Bill visited almost all 50 states in their retirement. Alaska especially held many fond memories for them, since living there from 1955-1957 while Bill was in the Army. They were fortunate to revisit Alaska with their daughter and son-in-law on several occasions, showing them  many of the special places they remembered from living there. They also traveled to Canada, Ireland, Scotland and England.

Willow loved to read about local and Civil War history, as well as visiting historical sites. She thoroughly enjoyed researching her family history throughout the generations, often visiting many cemeteries, and keeping meticulous notes about her family with information that will be a treasure for her loved ones. In addition, Willow was a skilled seamstress who enjoyed making beautiful dresses as well as crocheting and cross stitching.

In 1974, Willow and Bill moved to a 1890s farmhouse in Doyle that they enjoyed restoring and redecorating. Bill always maintained a large garden there, while Willow canned and froze the vegetables. Her kitchen table was often set with green beans and corn straight from the garden, alongside her delicious fried chicken or chicken and dumplings.

Willow always held her family close and her feelings closer, but she never hid her pride and love for her family, especially her beloved grandchildren.  She was always supportive and encouraged everyone to follow their dreams.

In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by husband William E. "Bill" Swift; brothers: James S Anderson and Curtis E Anderson; sisters Carolyn Tidrow and Brenda Latham; mother and father in law Artie and Lorene Swift.

Willow is lovingly survived by daughter Cheryl Webster and husband, Steve

Grandchildren: Jody Webster and wife, Alanna, Seth Webster and wife, Hannah, Rebekah Marcum and husband, Chad

Great grandchildren: Ben, Taylor, Elyse, Gracyn, Brynna, and Anderson Webster, Evelyn and Daniel Webster

Willow and Austin Marcum

Brother: Roy Anderson and wife, Martha of Baxter

Sister in law: Gwenith Anderson of Byrdstown

Brother in law: Jimmy Swift of Sparta

Many nieces and nephews also survive

Graveside services will be conducted 10:00am Friday, February  14, 2025 at Old Bon Air Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4-8:00pm Thursday at Hunter Funeral Home.  Rick Cross and Frank Derrick will officiate.

Jody Webster, Seth Webster, Chad Marcum, Eddie Anderson, James Anderson, Benjamin Anderson, Eddie Swift and Jimmy Douglas Swift will serve as pallbearers.

The Swift family would like to express a very special thank you to the CNAs and nurses at NHC Sparta.  They cared for Willow with love and compassion, and treated her as family.