Herman Swords

Article taken from The Portsmouth Daily Times, March 12, 2004

Herman L. Swords, 80, of Minford, died Thursday, March 11, 2004 , at Holzer Medical Center in Gallipolis.

Born Feb. 8,1924, in New Boston, a son of the late Philip S. and Sarah Rolfe Swords, he owned and operated Sword's Barber Shop in Minford for several years and was a millwright for 17 years for Local 1519 of South Point. He was a member of Fairview Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as church treasurer for several years, a member of Lucasville Masonic Lodge No. 465 and a graduate of Minford High School in the Class of 1943. He served in the Marine Corps during World War II.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth M. Bennett Swords, whom he married February 8, 1946; four sons, Michael and Claudia Swords of Heath, Phillip and Louvena Swords of Minford, Jeff and Beth Swords of Minford and Kevin Swords of Columbus; six grandchildren, Natalie Swords, Mandy and Owen Crank, Michelle and Jamson Williams, Bryan Swords, Angie Swords; four great-grandchildren, Aaron and Andrew Crank of Rachel and Jacob Williams; two sisters, Joy Keller of Minford and Carolyn Meixner of Orlando, Fla.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one son, Stephen Swords, on Sept. 4, 1978; two brothers, Harold and Richard Swords; and two sisters, Hazel Boldman and Mildred Chase.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, March 13, 2004, at Fairview Missionary Baptist Church near Minford with Pastor Tim Palla officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens in Franklin Furnace. Friends may call at Erwin-Dodson-Allen Funeral Home in Minford from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and at the church one hour before the service Saturday. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the James Irwin Post No. 622 American Legion.