Joan Brown Swift, 85, a long-time resident of Staunton, passed away on June 19 after a long and courageous battle with an autoimmune disorder. Joan was beloved by her family and friends for her compassion, kindness, and beautiful smile. In her own words, “I have lived an imperfect life. However, it has always been my intention to show love. I ask forgiveness for my failing.” This sentiment was at the core of who she was: always reflecting on how she could show humility and treat others with more love and dignity.

Joan was passionate about many things. At the top of the list was family. Her husband, Mack, was her rock for more than 50 years. She loved her children and granddaughter deeply and made consistent efforts to be part of their lives through visits, phone calls, shared adventures, and travel. Whether exploring new places with her family or enthusiastically joining her granddaughter on twisty slides and trampolines, she embraced life with curiosity, energy, and joy.

A close second was music. She sang in church choirs throughout her entire life, and the choir at Covenant Presbyterian Church became like family to her. Like her husband, Mack, who predeceased her in 2014,Joan had a passion for theater and storytelling and was known as a performer, director, and producer of many musicals. Some of her roles included Josephine in Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore, Katisha in The Mikado, Katerina in Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro, and multipleperformances as the mother in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors. Among her favorite directorial experiences were Big River and 1776 at Oak Grove Theater.

Storytelling became a passion she shared with Mack. Joan’s storytelling career, which began in earnest after attaining her M.A. from E.T.S.U. in 1994 and retirement from Staunton City Schools in 1999, made her well known to countless children, who heard her tell tales at schools, libraries and community programs. Her last years with Mack were filled with storytelling. Together, as Tales in Tandem, they brought stories to audiences in Virginia, Tennessee, and Washington state.

Growing up in segregated Richmond, Virginia, and majoring in sociology at Emory & Henry College ignited Joan’s lifelong passion for serving her community. She joined the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s in Richmond. She served her fellow educators as president of the Staunton Education Association and helped organize their annual charity tennis tournament for many years. She also volunteered with Kiwanis and Martha’s Meals on Wheels, serving as president of both organizations for several years, and tutored ESL students through the L.E.A.R.N. Program. In her later years, she continued her work with children as the director of the children’s choirs at Covenant Presbyterian. During her 40-year career as an educator in Staunton and at Blue Ridge Community College, Joan taught countless children and young adults and was often approached by former students who told her how much she inspired them to read, learn, and grow.

She loved all things beautiful—clothes, art, flowers, scenery, and friendship. Gardening and watercolor painting were among her favorite hobbies in recent years.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents, William and Mildred Brown; a cherished aunt, Myrtle Frank; her brother, Billy Brown; her sister-in-law, Jackie McKinney; and her nephews, Jeff and Mike McKinney.

She is survived by her son, Mark Swift, of Staunton and Washington, Pennsylvania; her daughter, Susan Swift, her husband, Wayt Gibbs, and their daughter, Lily, of Kirkland, Washington; her brothers-in-law, Keith Swift and Alvin McKinney; her nieces, Amy Brown, Laurie Ambrose, and Cherity Swift; her nephew, Jonathan Brown; and several grand nieces and nephews.

The family extends special thanks to Joan's extraordinary friends for their friendship, good cheer, and Frappuccinos, which brightened her days as her health declined. The family also thanks the staff and residents of Aviva Baldwin Park and Joan's caregivers for the friendship, support, and compassionate care they provided.

A memorial service will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Staunton at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, 2026 preceded by a reception in the Great Hall from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial gifts to Covenant Presbyterian Church, Oak Grove Theater, the Mack Swift Education Scholarship Fund at Emory & Henry College, Shenandoah Valley Kiwanis Club, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, or to any progressive cause that is meaningful to you.

Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton is in charge of her arrangements.