Viola Russell Swann, 72, of Benton, passed away Friday, December 12, 2008 in a Chattanooga hospital. She was a member of Welcome Valley Baptist Church.

Mrs. Swann was the daughter of the late Fate Cross and Irene Mull Cross and was also preceded in death by her son, Billy Ray Russell and brother, Jack Cross.

She is survived by her husband James T. Swann; children: Carl and Debbie Russell of Benton, David Russell of Cleveland, Tommy and Tammy Swann of Benton, Pamela and Frankie Shields of Cleveland, and Tammy and Ricky Johnson of Benton. Other survivors include eight brothers: Henry, David, Sam, Bill, Roy, Burch, Johnny, and Charlie Cross and one sister, Betty Couch; twelve grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 pm., Monday December 15, 2008 at Higgins Funeral Home with Reverend Tony Duggan and Reverend Charles Moore officiating. Interment will follow in Benton Memorial Gardens with a white dove release concluding the ceremony.

Her family will receive friends from 6-8 pm., Sunday December 14, 2008 at the funeral home.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Swann family guestbook at www.higginsfuneral.com.