Louise Swafford Church

Louise Swafford Church, 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on September 28, 2026, at Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina. Born June 12, 1942, in Marion, she was the daughter of George Bailey and Maggie Swafford Bailey. To those who loved her she was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, friend, entrepreneur and advocate for those with special needs.

Her entrepreneurial spirit took root at Quality Kitchens, Inc., the custom cabinet company she ran alongside her former husband, Robert James Hill. She could often be found staining some of the finest cabinets money could buy south of the Mason-Dixon line and she managed the books with equal skill. She learned her trade long before YouTube tutorials existed, a self-taught, hardworking, wise and determined businesswoman.

Her business sense didn't stop there. In 1971 she purchased a family care home and transformed it into East Court Group Care, Inc., a group home for people with developmental disabilities and the first of its kind in McDowell County. She went on to open three more homes, two of which remain in operation today. For Louise it was never just a business. She loved her residents like her own children. Where others saw limits, Louise saw potential and she never stopped believing in what they could achieve. They returned that love, calling her "Mama Hill" and later "Mama Church." Countless residents, families and staff members were touched by her compassion, and her vision continues to change lives through the homes she built.

Her daughters remember her as endlessly patient, tenderhearted and always encouraging. Louise was their fiercest champion. At a time when few women ran their own businesses she showed them by example that women can do great things and she never let them doubt it. Her encouragement reached everyone fortunate enough to receive it.

Perhaps her greatest adventure was life with her husband Harold Church. For 33 years the two shared a love story they often compared to The Notebook. An avid reader, Louise loved a good romance and she lived one of her own. Together they traveled to every U.S. state but Hawaii as well as Canada and Bermuda. Every mile added another chapter to their story. Some of her happiest moments were the simplest ones: sitting with Harold, reminiscing about old times and laughing over the memories they had made together.

Above all Louise lived with an open heart and she taught her family to do the same. That love lives on in each of them and in all who were blessed to know her.

She was preceded in death by her former husband Robert James Hill, with whom she raised her daughters. She is survived by the love of her life Harold Church; her beloved daughters Susan Ferguson (Roger), Robin Gagnon (Eric), Michele Burleson (Dirk), Baileigh (Precious) Allen-Foreman (Dan) and Tabby Hemphill (Van); stepchildren Lloyd Church (Amy), Michael Church (Kim), Yvonne Wiseman (Mike), Jason Church (Yvonne) and the late LaDonne Turner; 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Friday, October 2nd, from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. at Beam Funeral Service & Crematory. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 p.m. and will be officiated by Rev. Michael Church.