Janie Cutrell Swindell was born November 17, 1913, in Fairfield, NC, to the late Annie Nixon Cutrell Benson and Joseph Sar Cutrell.  She was the youngest of four children. Janie was preceded in death by all of her birth family, her husband of 59 years, John Harold Swindell, an infant son, Richard Joyner, and a great-grandson, Jake Austin Griffin. 

            John Harold, “Tubbie,” as she called him, won Janie's heart; and she became his bride on January 29, 1937.  She was very slender and his pet name for her was "Slab."  Their home was blessed with the birth of two girls, Patricia and Lucinda.

            She is survived by her two daughters, Patricia S. Griffin and husband, Bill, of Elizabeth City and Lucinda S. Bordeaux and husband, Floyd, of Roanoke Rapids; by sisters-in-law, Mary-Louise S. McGee, and Hazel A. Lane; four grandchildren, Mark Griffin and Susan, Carol Griffin Flowers and Danny, Sara Bordeaux Hunter and Brandon, and Rachel Bordeaux Ashby; great-grandchildren, Kristen and Cassidy Flowers, Carlton Ashby, Hayes Victoria Hunter, and Colton, Kate, and Cannon Griffin, and special caregivers.

            John Harold became a successful farmer and "Janie Bug," as he later called her,  helped with bookkeeping and correspondence for the farming business.  In her earlier working years, she was a legal secretary and served as Register of Deeds for Hyde County during World War II.  She was a member of Soule United Methodist Church, Soule Ladies Aid Society and United Methodist Women.  She was a charter member, 1944, of the Order of Eastern Star 232, Swan Quarter, NC and later a member of the Fairfield Chapter, 247.  She was a member of the Hyde County Historical Society.  As long as she was able, she was active in Hyde County Home Demonstration Club, taking classes in basket weaving, stool caning, and painting.  She was especially known for her macaroni and cheese, lemon meringue pies, and pineapple cakes.

            After John H. died in 1996, she said she hoped she'd have a few good years--which she did.  She enjoyed visiting her children and having them visit her.  She loved seeing her great grandchildren.   She lived her life well and was highly thought of by all who knew her.

            In early 2006 she became confined to bed in her home.  She was cared for by wonderful ladies who almost "came to blows" as to who would get to take care of her.  She remembered to thank people, had an entertaining way of saying things, did not complain or lament her condition, and lived at peace with herself.  Her more recent physical and mental struggles were hard to witness, but she was her gracious self to the end.  She was a strong and valiant fighter.  Her will to live added time to her earthly sojourn.  God lifted her from her battle on December 17, 2010.  No longer does she struggle with a frail body and a failing memory. 

          The family requests memorials be made to Soule United Methodist Church, 809 Main Street, Swan Quarter, NC 27885,  Mid-Atlantic Christian University Foundation, Janie C. and John H. Swindell Fund, 715 North Poindexter Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909, Bethlehem Food Pantry, PO Box 277, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 or Community  Hospice, PO Box 130, Engelhard, NC 27824.