Joseph Lawrence Swann "Larry," 88, of White Plains, Maryland.

Joseph Lawrence Swann, affectionately known by family and friends as "Larry," was born on May 13, 1931 in Charles County Maryland to Mary Lottie and Walter Swann. He was one of 15 children.

Joseph was raised in Bel Alton, Maryland. He worked hard at doing chores on the family farm. At 16 years of age, Joseph moved to Washington, DC and began working. He started his career working in a Federal Government bakery. Later, he joined the U.S. Marine Corp. During his military service, Joseph worked as a mechanic on vehicles and air planes. One day his supervisor said, "come with me, I'm going to teach you to fly."

After an Honorable Discharge, he worked even harder then before. Joseph was employed in three different companies. The first position he held was with the Federal Government in Indian Head, Maryland, later he worked at Andrews Air Force Base and then held a position at Bolling Air Force Base. His employment also included working as a mechanic for two different dealerships.

On February 14, 1956, he married his best friend and the love of his life, Louise Annie Thompson, from that blessed union, four children were born; William, Sharon, Allen and Michael. He was a good son, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, great great grandfather, brother, uncle and nephew.

After retiring from the Federal Government, Joseph continued to work on cars. He loved working on cars so much that he decided to build his own shop right next to his house and then built a second one. He worked such long hours in the shop that his wife, Louise, would say "he's got everything in there except a bed." As the years went by, he asked his grandson Georgye to be an assistant when he worked on the cars. He was proud of himself, as he had taught someone else his skills. Georgye has been at his side all the way.

He had a great sense of humor and loved to tell jokes. He loved his customers and treated everyone with respect. He looked forward to the next day when he would have the opportunity to work on someone else's car. On Friday's, Joseph would have a fish and oyster fry for family and friends.

Joseph loved his mom and would get up in the middle of the night if she needed him. He would get "ribs" every Saturday for his mom and brothers, Willie and Thomas to eat. He loved to get together with family to go to the beach, zoo, fishing and boating. His daughter Sharon was at his side when he suddenly became ill and was there until the end.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Lottie and Walter Swann, wife, Louise Swann, sisters, Gertrude Savoy, Lynn Adams, Veronica Watson and Theresa Swann, brothers, Willie, Marone, Nathan (Naboy) Thomas and Russell and grandson, Jerame Swann.

He leaves to cherish precious memories, three sons, William "Billy," Allen and Michael; daughter, Sharon; grandchildren, Allen Jr., Jymknyeckya, Bryan, Darlene, Georgye, Stephon, Albert (Charlie Brown), Lawrence, and Branden; great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, brothers, Purcell (Jean), Louis (Hester) and John Swann; sisters Peggy Watson and Georgianna Penny and a host of family and friends.

Viewing, 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 27, 2019 in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A.; Mass of Christian Burial, 11:00 a.m., St. Joseph Catholic Church, 4590 St. Joseph Way, Pomfret, Maryland.  Interment, Church Cemetery.