Bobby Merrill Swafford

Bobby "Hawk" Merrill Swafford, 75, of Villa Rica, GA passed away peacefully surrounded by his family and friends at Tanner Medical Center on Saturday, March 5, 2022. Bobby was born on January 8, 1947 to Travis and Dura Merrill Swafford. He grew up in the Hollis area of Cleburne County, Alabama and was a 1965 graduate of Cleburne County High School. A stellar high school athlete, Bobby played basketball and football for the Tigers. He was selected for the distinctive honor of All-State in both sports. Bobby and his teammates drew huge crowds for Tiger basketball games prompting a new gymnasium to be built where CCHS still plays basketball today. Bobby's high school football nickname was "Hawk" and he carried it over to the University of Alabama, where head football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant also referred to him as "Hawk". Bobby played football for the Crimson Tide from 1966-1969. He also played basketball for the University of Alabama for his freshman year. After his college football career, Bobby coached sports in Alabama and Georgia before working with LE Bell Construction. He continued to support Heflin athletics through the last decades while watching both of his sons, Scotty and Jon, coach football at CCHS, his grandson Brock play football, baseball, and basketball at CCHS and his granddaughter Jayden cheer, serve as a wrestling mat maid, and play softball for CCHS as well as watching his youngest three grandsons, Bentley, Braden, and Barrett, who also participate in Heflin sports playing baseball, basketball, football, and wrestling. Traveling to Alabama football events with his family was always a favorite pastime especially the past four years where his grandson Brock serves as equipment manager for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He enjoyed the game of golf with his supportive and loving wife Donna Lynn Swafford and played golf together almost every week for years even as recently as a few weeks ago. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Jimmy Swafford. He is survived by his wife Donna, his sons Scotty (Jennifer) Swafford and Jon (Jodi) Swafford and grandchildren Brock Swafford and Jayden Swafford, and Bentley, Braden, and Barrett Swafford and his sister Joyce Swafford Glasgow (Wilmer). Respecting Bobby's wishes, a funeral service will not be held, but his family plans to have a celebration of life for him at a later time. For those who wish to make a contribution in Bobby "Hawk" Swafford's memory, please donate to the Cleburne County High School Gym Bleacher Fund to help purchase new bleacher seats. Mail any contributions to: Cleburne County High School ℅ CCHS Bleacher Fund 520 Evans Bridge Road Heflin, AL 36264. The family appreciates the support so many have shown for their great loss. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.jones-wynn.com. Jones-Wynn Funeral Home, Inc. and Cremation Services of Villa Rica is in charge of arrangements.