Gladys Janelle McSwain's Obituary
Gladys Janelle Hutchinson McSwain, 90, of Albemarle, passed away on June 19, 2026, at home, surrounded by her loving sons.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at West Albemarle Baptist Church, with Pastors Adam Hatley and Brent Pope officiating. Interment will follow at Silver Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. prior to the service.
Ms. McSwain, lovingly known as “Purple Nannie,” was born on March 15, 1936, in Stanly County to the late Charles and Nellie Thompson Hutchinson. She was a homemaker, raising her boys and manning the home front while her husband served in the U.S. Army. At the young age of 28, she set out with her two young sons on a ship to Germany, having never before left Stanly County. She returned with a love of schnitzel and sauerkraut. She and her family also lived for three years in Hawaii and spent time at Fort Bragg during her husband's stateside assignments.
Along with her love for unique treats, she was an accomplished bowler, participating in leagues in both Fayetteville and Albemarle. Ms. McSwain maintained lifelong friendships from her years in Germany, Hawaii, and Fayetteville. Over the years, she mailed hundreds—possibly thousands—of cards to faraway friends and family, often enclosing ice cream money for birthdays.
What Janelle would most want to be remembered for, however, was her unwavering faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, her willingness to profess that faith to anyone within earshot, and her diligent prayers. She was a faithful member of West Albemarle Baptist Church, including participation in the Happiness Club, until her health prevented her from attending. She continued to listen to Pastor Adam's sermons and enjoyed visits from church members.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Larry McSwain; brothers and sisters, Jack Hutchinson, Charles David Hutchinson, Ginger Spivey, Lewis “Pookie” Hutchinson, and Bonnie Hopkins.
She is survived by her loving and devoted sons, Jeff and Tim; grandchildren, Chase McSwain, Logan (Scott) Evans, and Cody (Hillary) McSwain; great-grandchildren, Harper McSwain, Bruce Evans, and Dylan Evans; sister, Margaret Hutchinson; brother-in-law, Bill Russell; and sisters-in-law, Debbie Hutchinson and Jackie Russell.
The family asks those remembering Janelle to wear purple in her honor. They would also like to extend a special thank-you to Janelle's caregivers, Windy Cauble, Rachael Kessler, Tillery Compassionate Care, and Stanly County Senior Services Home Delivered Meals, as well as the many friends who stopped by to brighten her day during her extended illness.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sid Talbert Youth Fund at West Albemarle Baptist Church in Janelle's memory.
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