Hilda Bernice Swann peacefully entered eternal rest on Friday, July 31, 2026. She was born on January 13, 1950, in Williamsburg, Virginia, to the late Catherine and Lloyd Saunders.
She received Christ at an early age at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Williamsburg, Virginia. She was a faithful and loyal member of the church for over sixty years. She served as a financial clerk and sang in multiple choirs. She also served on the hospitality committee and represented the church as an NAACP Queen.
“Thee Mrs. Swann” (as she would call herself) was educated in the Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools. She graduated from Berkeley High School, Class of 1968. She continued her education, obtaining her Certified Nursing Aide Certification. Through the years, she was employed in multiple establishments including Rexall Diner, Waffle Iron Pancake House, Woolworth Breakfast Counter, The Pines Nursing Home, Dominion Village Nursing Home, and went into private home healthcare services for many years. The last family Mrs. Swann served and aided was a sweet lady named Sarah Walters. They had a very unorthodox relationship. They started as patient and nurse and then became family. Through the love and kindness Hilda Swann provided to Mrs. Sarah, to this day, even after Mrs. Sarah’s death over thirty years ago, her family still reached out to Hilda. Mrs. Swann showed grace and worked in many places through her faith in God.
Hilda had the difficult task of burying her late husband, Chef William Henry Swann, over nineteen years ago. They shared thirty-eight beautiful years together before his passing. Since then, Hilda continued to live her life through Christ. Hilda enjoyed life, enjoyed her family, and enjoyed her church! She was a person who entertained people, and she was the life of the party! Her beautiful spirit shined every day! She was a person who loved the art of different colors: red, blue, purple, orange; the brighter the better! Hilda enjoyed cooking; she was a big baker, and people would request her cakes! Hummingbird, walnut, and lemon cake were her specialties! Hilda threw many parties, invited friends and family, enjoyed great music, and sipped on some of her specialty drinks. Hilda always had fun during her life; she cruised, she went to the casino, and she loved card games. Nothing stopped Hilda from being a positive role model and huge helper to her community and family. She took care of many people; she opened her heart to many people.
Proceeding Hilda in her death, William Swann (Husband), Lloyd Saunders Sr. and Bernice Saunders (Parents), Bervin Saunders (Brother), Alton Saunders (Brother), Brenda Saunders (Sister in Law), Norman Saunders (Brother), Roger Williams Sr. (Brother-in-Law), William Morris Swann (Father in Law), Rebecca Swann (Mother-in-Law), Virgie White (Sister-in-law), James White (Brother-in-Law), Wilbert Chambliss (Brother-in-Law), Roy Gray (Brother-in-Law), and Renae Swann (Sister-in-Law).
Hilda Swann leaves behind to cherish her legacy and memories her two sons, William Swann II and Gerard Swann; her adult grandchildren, Dominique Swann, Gerard Swann II, Jordan Swann, Jaida Swann, and William Swann III; her four precious great-grandchildren; her siblings, Rosa Mack Williams (Sister), Wyoma Saunders (Sister), Joyce Wright (Sister), Dougles Wright Sr. (Brother-in-Law), Loretta Saunders (Sister), Eunice Whitehurst (Sister), Winston Whitehurst (Brother-In-Law), Joyce Saunders (Sister-in-Law), Willie Saunders (Brother), Charlotte Saunders (Sister-in-Law), Lloyd Saunders Jr. (Brother), Shirley Saunders (Sister-in-Law), David Saunders (Brother), Jackie Saunders (Sister-in-Law), Rosa Swann (Sister-in-Law), Nannie Gray (Sister-in-Law), Edward Swann (Brother-in-Law), Tahlita Swann (Sister-in-Law), Joel Swann (Brother-in-Law), Earnest Swann (Brother-in-Law), Candy Swann (Sister-in-Law); Hope Baily (Loving Sister), Linda Lunsford (Honorable Neighbor), Corwin Lindsey (Honorable Son), and a host of other family and many friends.
