Clara Elizabeth (Burch) Swann "Sally", 91 of Fort Washington, Maryland.

Sally spent her early life in Oxon Hill, Maryland.  She was the eldest child of Frank and Daisy Burch. She has 8 siblings—Mary (deceased), Hester, Agnes, Francis (deceased), Ann, Steve, Peter (deceased) and James (Buck).

Frank Burch, their father and his brothers were musically talented and Sally and Mary would sing together.  After Sally's marriage to James Linkins Swann (Link), they relocated to Camp Springs and had five adorable children.  They had many friends and family that would visit on weekends, oftentimes spending the night.  They would entertain their guests by singing songs together.  Parties were commonplace on weekends.  The only way to have a family outing was to leave by seven in the morning before any visitors arrived.

Sally stayed home with her children (except for a three year period, from 1952-55 when she worked at the Bureau of Engraving).  She went to work for Hadley Hospital as a PBX operator and receptionist, for 15 years after raising the oldest four of her children.

Sally lived twenty-three years after the death of her husband, they were married forty-nine years. Fiercely independent,  she would still cook, clean, and even paint the interior of the family home, even after losing her eyesight ten years ago.  She was always ready to entertain and could prepare an entire meal for unexpected guests at a moments notice.   She loved attending church and traveling with the church group; they became a large part of her social life.

She had the most wonderful temperament.  If she was ever frustrated or irritated with life, in general, as we all are from time to time, she could be brought back to a happy place with a McDonald's happy meal... yes, even at 90 years young.  She had a wonderful sense of humor and even while in rehab after her stroke made jokes and gave quick laughter to your jokes.

Sally was well loved by all of her grandchildren. There was one grandchild, in particular, Marquel, as a teenager, decided to be her primary caregiver, personal trainer, and protector. Her exercise consisted of multiplication (for the mind) while doing sit-ups and taking brisk walks (for the body).  He made a rope fence so she could take a walk in the yard and then find her way back inside, this gave her a sense of independence.

At family gatherings, he would make her plate first and then his, even if she wasn't there; he would always think of her first.  We can only hope for such a loving, caring guardian in our time of need. We can only pray for someone to be half the man that Marquel is and was to his Grandmother.

She was a good mother,  friend,  wife,  daughter,  sister, and disciple of Jesus  Christ.  She is a believer in the resurrection and we all look forward to seeing her again at that time.

On Saturday, December 2, 2017 at the Woodbine Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Alexandria, Virginia, Clara Elizabeth (Burch) Swann, more affectionately called "Sally" transitioned to eternal life.

Wife of the late James L. Swann "Link"; mother of Cathleen Gantt, Garnett McQueen, James "Ronnie" Swann (Pam), Andrea Black and the late Deborah Price. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, four great great grandchildren and other relatives.

Viewing, 11 a.m. until time of service, 12 noon, Friday, December 15, 2017 in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640. Interment, St. Charles Cemetery, Glymont, Maryland.