Iris Virginia Simons Swain

Posted on November 13, 2019

On Friday, November 8, 2019, Iris Virginia Simons Swain, loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and teacher passed away at the age of 88. Iris Swain was born on May 1, 1931, in Dowling Park to J.O. and Irene (McCleod) Simons.

She graduated from Florida State University in 1953 with a degree in education and was a first-grade teacher for 20 years in Taylor County. She enjoyed arts and crafts, sewing, gardening and traveling.

Her love was her family; she especially enjoyed holiday family gatherings. She was loved at Swain’s Family Restaurant for her homemade banana pudding every Sunday.

Iris always supported and encouraged all the family’s various business endeavors over the years. She was a lifetime member of Southside Baptist Church where she played the piano and organ, was a member of the choir, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher and song director.

On June 7, 1952 she married Robert Randolph Swain and they raised two children, Thomas Allen Swain and Linda Gail Swain Lawson.

Iris was preceded in death by her father J.O. Simons, her mother Irene (McCleod) Simons and her brother Ira Curtis Simons all of Perry.

She is survived by her husband Robert Randolph Swain of 67 years, her son Thomas Allen Swain and his wife Mary, her daughter Linda Gail Swain Lawson; eight grandchildren: Jennifer Arnold (Mark), Ryan Sherrer (Amy), Rachelle Lynch (Randy), Tyler Sherrer, Natasha Elam (Wayne), Allen Swain (Marisol), Melissa Zasada (Todd), and Lindsey Lawson; 20 great grandchildren: Grant Hoover, Hunter Hoover, Ryver Arnold, Presley Sherrer, Ellie Sherrer, Karlee Sherrer, Iris Sherrer, Ava Lynch, Falon Lynch, Zoe Elam, Zane Elam, Christopher Amador, Robert Allen Swain, Addison Russell, Kaylee Zasada, Mason Lawson, Sawyer Lawson and Alexander LaJoie; her brother Glenn Simons, her sister Imogene Swearingen, a host of nieces and nephews, as well as three loving care givers, Pam Stripling, Peggy Meyers and Lindsey Lawson.

The family also extends their gratitude to Covenant Hospice for their loving care.

Funeral services were held Monday, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. at Southside Baptist Church with Bro. Gary French and Bro. Harold Reams officiating.

Interment services immediately followed afterward in Woodlawn.

The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10 at Joe P. Burns Funeral Home in Perry.

Friends may sign the online guest book at www.joepburnsfuneralhomes.com