Ruth Brewster Swift Hurdel, 1933-2009

Ruth (A’ma) Brewster Swift Hurdel, 76, of Maryville, Tenn., entered into eternal rest Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009.  Ruth passed away at her home surrounded by her family.  She was a former resident of Chilhowie, Va. and Baltimore, Md., but had made her home in Maryville, Tenn. for the past 20 years.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Fletcher L., Sr. and Grace Rhudy Brewster; brother James E. Brewster; first husband and father of her children, David M. Swift, Sr.; and special “adopted family,” Janine L. Anderson.  Survivors include husband, Alfred M. Hurdel; son, David M. Swift, Jr.; daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Plum Thomas; daughter and son-in-law, Monica and Larry Aistrop all of Maryville, Tenn.; and daughter, Patricia Swift of Nevis, West Indies; grandchildren, Matthew A. Aistrop, Kristen R. Aistrop, Megan L. Taylor, and Nathaniel L. Wells; great-grandchildren, Katlyn A. Aistrop and Madison R. Carroll; brother, Fletcher “Buddy” Lee Brewster of Blountville, Tenn.; sister, Brenda B. Lewis of Chilhowie, Va., and sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Pete Gregory of Marion, Va.  She also leaves behind special friends, D.C. Walker and Jerry Lewis of Chilhowie, Va., and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including her pets, Sunshine and Daisy.  Ruth was most noted for her commitment to the youth where she resided.  She was a volunteer with the Blount County Family Resource Reading Program (Porter and Montvale Elementary Schools) and previous church youth groups.  She inaugurated the Baltimore, Md. Police Youth Council and Policy Community Relations Organization.  She was a member and former president of the Liberty Road Community Council of Baltimore County, Md. and was an active member of the Republican Party and a participant of the Baptist faith.  To her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the children of the community she was known as the beloved A’ma.  She will be deeply missed, but A’ma’s heart was so full of love and beauty that it will undoubtedly be carried on in our hearts.  Funeral services will be 7 p.m. Monday in McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain David Hughes officiating.  The family will receive friends Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at McCammon-Ammons-Click funeral home Maryville, Tenn.  Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Chilhowie Christian Church in Chilhowie, Va.. with pastor Frank Branson officiating.  The interment will follow in Middlefork Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the Chilhowie Christian Church from 12 noon to 1 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Blount County Family Resource Reading Program and the Blount County Children’s Advocacy Center.