Carolyn Novella Swart

Carolyn Novella Bland Swart, 81, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, with her three children by her side.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 2pm, at Amplify Church 2884 NC 42 Willow Spring, NC 27592. The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

A native of Halifax County, Carolyn was born August 1, 1942, to the late Joseph Thaddeus and Addie Novella Meek Bland. Carolyn cherished her hometown of Hobgood, NC and graduated from Scotland Neck High School, in Scotland Neck, NC, where she was a member of the cheer squad, Future Homemakers of America, and won the title of Miss Dairy Princess while in school. Carolyn learned to sew in school and loved to design her own clothing, growing her love for fashion, and becoming known for her style. Most Sundays, you could find Carolyn at church with a fabulous hat and outfit on. Carolyn spent many years as a beautician in Norfolk, VA where she met her first husband (Bobby B. Stovall). She went on to work for the private airport at RDU, allowing her the opportunity to meet many celebrities. She worked in advertising for the newspaper in Scotland Neck, helped organize and plan the first Crepe Myrtle Festival in Scotland Neck, and was active in all the communities she lived in. Carolyn worked as an administrative assistant for Morgan Keegan in Raleigh, when she met her current husband, Stan Swart. They married on March 30, 2001. She worked for Morgan Keegan for many years before she began retirement life with Stan. Carolyn and Stan enjoyed traveling together and being a part of the church family on the weekends. They hosted small groups and mentored young couples at times. Carolyn never met a stranger and loved people for exactly who they were. She could see the good in anyone.

Carolyn had a passion for life and family. Her absolute favorite thing was to go home to Hobgood, help her sisters cook, and finish the meal sitting at the table talking for hours. Family meant everything to her. Growing up, she and her sisters spent many weekends at the Scout Pond in Scotland Neck dancing the night away. That is where she found her love for beach music and shagging. She continued to shag throughout her life and enjoyed SOS events in Myrtle Beach SC. There were many times you could walk into her room and see her shagging while holding a bedpost. It brought her so much joy. Carolyn enjoyed playing Bridge, tennis, and golf over the years until she was not able to do those things. Carolyn loved to write and tell stories. She was an original storyteller in our family. Carolyn spent many weekends supporting her grandchildren or supporting her favorite singer, JoAnn Josey (her sister), while she could still travel. She had a love for entertaining family and friends at her home and knew how to decorate her home for any event she was planning. Carolyn looked forward to all family gatherings and spending as much time with her grandchildren as possible. Her love of family, life, and Jesus was something she shared with everyone.

Carolyn is survived by her husband, Stanley W. Swart; She is also survived by her children, Shannon Stovall Sasser, Bobby Branham Stoval, II (Penni), and Farrah Stovall Benson (Joe); the father of her children, Bobby B. Stovall; inherited Swart children, Don Swart (Tammy), Jim Swart (Dianna), and Susan Smithson (Mike); her grandchildren, Donovan Benson (Avery), Stone Bland Sasser, Chelsea LeighAnn Hope Benson, Savannah Megan Stovall, Hunter Tate Benson, Tye Wells Sasser, Branham Ryder Stovall, Morgan Layne Benson; 12 inherited Swart grandchildren; her great grandson, Liam Eli Benson; 14 inherited Swart great grandchildren; her sister, Jo Ann Josey; and her brother, Joseph Bland and wife, Carolyn.

In addition to her parents, Carolyn was preceded in death by a grandson, Will Smithson and sisters, Marie Harris and Lillie Harold.