Genevieve (Weatherly) Litchfield
July 20, 1926 – May 11, 2025

Genevieve Swain Litchfield, 98, of Columbia, NC, passed away on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at her home.
Genevieve was born in Tyrrell County on July 20, 1926, to the late Leon Roberson and Ella W. Roughton Weatherly. She was married to James Philip Swain Jr., who preceded her in death in March 1976. She remarried in 1980 to Clyde Litchfield, who also preceded her in death.
Genevieve was named after the song “Sweet Genevieve” written in the late 1800’s and she loved telling the story of how a neighbor named her. Another story she liked to tell was of riding the train from Columbia to visit family in Virginia and how she had such a wonderful Christmas that year. Later, when her family decided to leave Tyrrell County and move to Virginia, she just couldn’t go. By then, she had met Philip Jr., and he didn’t want her to move that far away. They decided to elope, and at 15 years old, Genevieve went to live with her new husband and her in-laws, John Philip and Beulah Swain, on their farm. She participated in all the typical farm life necessities at that time, like picking cotton, helping prepare meals, canning food, gardening, etc. When she and Philip Jr. started a family in 1943, it was evident that they needed more room, so they moved out to another farm where she actually resided the rest of her life. Genevieve was a charter member of the Sandy Acres Freewill Baptist Church. She loved her church and especially enjoyed singing in the choir. She served as a 4-H leader in her community. She supported her children and grandchildren through livestock shows, talent shows, & dress reviews. Her love for the piano led her to take piano lessons, which she thoroughly enjoyed, and playing the piano was her go-to activity for many years. While some of her grandchildren pursued their music interests through playing instruments in the school band, she totally supported them by showing up for band competitions, parades, and concerts. She loved and supported whatever her family loved, including NASCAR racing, traveling on vacation, visiting with family & friends, Easter egg hunts, holiday dinners, and birthday parties. Many of which were livened up by Clyde, the trickster of the family.

During her working years, she climbed the fire tower on Hwy 94 South to keep an eye out for smoke in order to alert the forestry service of potential fires. She served as a lunchroom lady, a Director for the Tyrrell County Head Start, a secretary at the Columbia Hospital till it closed, and ultimately ended up as a secretary for a CPA firm in Kitty Hawk, NC where she was very proud of being able to learn how to type financial statements on an IBM memory typewriter. She worked hard and was proud that she helped all her children attend college. Education was extremely important to her. She was driven to keep a promise to her Dad to finish her own education, after she quit school to get married, so in her later years, she took classes to earn her GED and then continued with her education by attending the College of the Albemarle to obtain an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration. When she retired, she took on another career, caring for one of her granddaughters.

Genevieve, or GG, as she was called by her grandchildren, was blessed with the chance to know, love, and influence three generations, and she will be greatly missed.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, May 16, 2025, at Sandy Acres Freewill Baptist Church, with Shawn Williams officiating. Burial will follow at Azalea Memorial Gardens, and friends may visit with the family immediately following the committal service, back at the church fellowship hall.

Genevieve is survived by three sons: James W. Swain (Helen) of Chesterfield, VA, William E. Swain (Cynthia) of Columbia, and Len R. Swain (Susan) of Cape Carteret; her daughter, Karen S. Gerhart (Michael) of Columbia, and stepdaughter, Carla L. Sawyer of Columbia; grandchildren: Jay R. Swain (Kathy), Richard L. Swain (Rebekah), Stacie Swain, Chelsea G. Swain (Andrew); great-grandchildren: Cullen Swain, Henry Swain, Cohen Shands, Kiley Shands, Grady Swain, Genevieve Swain, Erin Swain, and step great grandchildren Samantha Boykin and Ashley Adams.

In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by her brother Orville, “Bubber” Weatherly, two sisters, Sarah Lindholm and Josie Bardi, a stepson, Sidney Litchfield, and a step-granddaughter, Chrystal D. Sawyer.

Flowers are welcome, or donations may be made to Sandy Acres Freewill Baptist Church, 65 Smith Lane, Columbia, NC 27925.

Arrangements are by Bryan Funeral Service, Columbia.