Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mr. Leon Daran Swafford, 37, of Beckley, passed away Saturday, December 5, 2020. Born February 14, 1983 in Beckley, WV, he was the son of Vanessa Smith Swafford of Beckley and Louis King (Faith) Berry. Leon grew up in Mt. Hope, WV, graduating from Mount Hope High School in 2002. Leon enlisted in the US Marines Corps, proudly served his country until his Honorable Discharge. He was a business owner and member of Greater New Jerusalem Holiness Temple. Leon was preceded in death by his grandparents, Suverna Smith and Walter King; sister, Latease Pharse; aunt, Arlene Weems and cousin, Roger Harper. In addition to his parents, left to cherish precious memories are his wife, Lisa Sparks Swafford of Beckley; children, Corey and Olivia Swafford; stepchildren, Karhlyle Hopkins and Jorda Price; brothers, Walter Lee Swafford II, Kevin Louis Swafford and Louis K. Berry Jr.; sisters, Faith A. Berry, Hope L. Berry and Charity M. Berry and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Funeral service will be 12:00Noon, Thursday, December 17, 2020 at the Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor Chapel 748 S. Fayette St., Beckley, with Pastor Rodney K. Hill officiating. Burial will be at Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery, 130 Academy Drive, Dunbar, WV. Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the church. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, gloves, masks and social distancing will be required to attend the service.

Email condolences to ritchie-johnson@suddenlinkmail.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Harmony For Hope, 704 Main Street, Mount Hope, WV 25880. Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.