Mr. Thurmon Jerome Swilling, 60, son of the late Thurmon Burton and Martha Elizabeth Swilling Mack, was born November 30, 1960, in Iredell County, N.C. He passed away Saturday, May 8, 2021. He was raised by his aunt, Beatrice Cassell; his stepfather, James Mack; a brother, David Robinson; paternal grandmother, Sara Burton; maternal grandparents, Geneva Burch and David J. Swilling; paternal great grandmother, Susie Burch; uncles, Bishop Walter Burton, Junior Burton, Willie Burch, Joe Burch, and George Burch; aunts, Vat Lou Rucker, Vivian Burch, Nancy Burch, Margaret Burton, Evelyn Burton, and Mildred Burton all preceded him in death.
Jerome attended the Iredell County School System. He loved playing baseball, basketball, swimming and family cookouts. He was employed at Lowes Distribution.
He leaves to cherish his memory of his life, five brothers, Tony (Diana) Davidson, Anthony Davidson, Jamie Mack, all of Statesville, Rickey (Lisa) Swilling of Charlotte, and Kevin Mack of Winston-Salem; four sisters, Tina (Issac) Johnson, Debbie (Gary) Rucker, both of Statesville, Laura Ann Blackburn of Durham and Connie (Roosevelt) Jenkins of Cleveland; six aunts, Corlee Ramsey, Alfreda Burton, Clara Mae Parks, Hazel Burton, Betty “Piggy” Ramseur and Sara Smith, all of Statesville; two uncles, Eddie Burch and Spencer Burton, both of Statesville; his girlfriend, Alfreda “Mo” Dunlap of Greensboro; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Celebration of Life Services will be conducted Sunday, May 16, 2021, at 2 p.m. at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home, Statesville, N.C. Pastor Micheal Turner will officiate and Bishop Ricky Swilling will eulogize with burial to follow in the Belmont Cemetery.
Visit the Book of Memories for Mr. Swilling at www.rutledgeandbigham.com.
Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the Swilling Family.