Dolores (Dozier) Swafford

Mrs. Dolores Swafford, 93, of Houston, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, March 15, 2023.

Dolores Swafford, lovingly known as Dee Dee, Dee, Grandma, and Gigi, was born to Carrie and Edward Dozier on April 25, 1929, in St. Louis, Missouri. The youngest of four daughters, Dee was a self-proclaimed troublemaker. She moved quietly, always with a twinkle in her eye, in a world still not yet prepared for the Black girl magic that encompassed every fiber of her being.

In her late teens, she enrolled in the Nursing school at Homer G. Phillips Hospital where she became a registered nurse. Later at Phillips, she met the love of her life, Joseph S. Swafford (“Swafford”), who rescued her, mid-tussle, from a combative patient. And after a mother-approved courtship (invigorated with the occasional secret date), they were united in matrimony on December 30, 1950. Their 72-year marriage set the foundation for an abundance of beautiful memories and adventures spanning the globe.

But at the center of their loving union, was their immense pride and joy in raising their son, Dr. Joseph Swafford. Dee and “Swafford” moved back and forth between Houston, Texas, and Denver, Colorado, several times later in life, splitting their time between visiting family, hitting the casinos and Dee's delight, snowshoeing with an order of Nuns at Loyola Catholic Church and school who also raised dogs.

During her nursing career, she volunteered tirelessly with the nuns of the Loyola school to assist in the classroom and “babysit” the dogs. In the community, she was a faithful transportation aid and caregiver to those who needed her help. To really know her was to love her, and she delighted in spending time with those of us who did.

Dolores Dozier Swafford LIVED!

She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Florence Rusan and Cecelia Still.

She leaves to mourn her passing, her loving and devoted husband, Joseph S. Swafford, her loving and dedicated son, Dr. Joseph Swafford, her loving and devoted daughter-in-law, Dr. Melba Swafford, two grandchildren, Erika Green Swafford of Los Angeles, California, and Jessica Dolores Swafford Marcella of Washington, D.C., one grandson, Orrin K. Marcella of Washington, D.C., two delightful great-grandchildren, Juliana Dolores Marcella, and William Joseph Marcella, one sister, Celestine Blair of Denver, Colorado, and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Please sign the On-Line Guest Book, and view Mrs. Swafford’s obituary at www.warfordmortuary.com