Josephine Lucille Swope

Mrs. Josephine Lucille "Josie" Swope, 85, of Frederick, Maryland, passed into the arms of our savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at Spring Arbor of Frederick. She was the loving wife of the late Harry A. Swope Jr., who died on May 27, 2023. They were married in Athens, GA on April 10, 1963.

Born on November 9, 1938, in Hagerstown, MD, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth and Nora Saum. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and Donald Saum; two sisters, Janice Caniford and Dorothy Hoffmann; and one nephew, James Caniford. She was the last of her immediate family. 

She is survived her children and their spouses, Krista and Bryan Stone, and Scott and Vanida Swope; seven grandchildren and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Josie loved her family, extended family, and church family and looked forward to their visits and to her church activities. 

She was a member of the Frederick Church of the Brethren and the Libertytown-Unionville Lions Club (over 10 years). She served God as co-coordinator of the Saints Alive Senior Ministry Committee and gave many hours of service to her community as a member of the Lions Club. 

Josie graduated from Hagerstown High School in June of 1956. She earned a BA in teaching from Frostburg University and began her teaching career at Boonsboro Elementary School in Washington County, MD. After she married Harry and they moved to Georgia, she taught for four years in the Athens Public Schools. She completed her teaching career as a special education teacher for 28 years in Frederick County (MD) Public Schools. 

A celebration of life service will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Frederick Church of the Brethren, 201 Fairview Avenue in Frederick, MD. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Wounded Warriors, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/; or to the Animal Welfare League of Frederick County, https://www.awlfc.org/.

Arrangements are with Stauffer Funeral Home, Frederick. Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at StaufferFuneralHome.com.