Susan Cole Swails

Susan Cole Swails, 76, passed away peacefully at MUSC Columbia on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, after a courageous three-and-a-half-year battle with leukemia.

Susan was born in Florence, South Carolina, on February 2, 1950, to the late Albert Cole and the late Clyo Lawrimore Cole. She grew up in Florence with her beloved siblings – older brother, Ed, and younger sister, Patty – who, along with their beagle Ginger, were unforgettable characters in her stories from childhood. Ed and Patty remained some of Susan’s closest companions throughout life.

After graduating from McClenaghan High School, Susan attended Winthrop University where she received her BA in Education. While there, she met a group of cherished life-long friends who knew her as “Clyde” and who will always remember her as the rock and glue of their group.

Susan moved to Columbia after graduating from Winthrop and went on to earn an MA in Education from the University of South Carolina. Around that time, she met John “Jack” Marshall Swails while living in the same apartment building. They were married on December 7, 1974, and celebrated 51 years together just last year. Susan had a pet by her side most of her life, and this era was marked by Ms. Kitty, whom Jack gifted to Susan in the early years of their relationship.

Many will remember Susan as a devoted teacher of 4th and 5th grade students. She taught for over thirty years in South Carolina’s public school system. Her room was warm and inviting and full of Garfield the cat! Always affable and gracious, Susan didn’t go anywhere in life without making friends, and her 5th grade teaching team at Seven Oaks Elementary became her team for life. Long after retirement, the three-woman team remained as close as ever.

Susan was a devoted and enthusiastic member of the St. Andrews Woman’s Club chapter of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of South Carolina (GFWC-SC). In Women’s Club, she discovered her joy for party planning and inaugurated the GFWC-SC’s Christmas Stocking Extravaganza – now fifteen years and running.

All who knew and loved Susan will remember her infectious joy, immense generosity, and undying patience. She was an avid baker of delicious treats that she personally packaged and delivered to those she loved. No care package was complete without her carefully written cards, which she was notorious for personally selecting years in advance of sending. Her notes are famous among all who received them – and many people received them!

Susan’s favorite place was the beach, specifically South Litchfield. She was a lover of all things salty and sandy. From crabs to boiled peanuts, seashells and sunsets, she loved it all. There was nothing more beautiful to Susan than the South Carolina marsh, and there was nothing more special than sharing her favorite place with her friends and family.

She loved her children with unrivaled devotion, and they filled her with tremendous pride. She talked endlessly of their successes, and there wasn’t a moment that passed that she didn’t think of them. The only thing Susan loved more than being a mother was being a grandmother. She spent the last seven years of her life being the most devoted “Tutu” to her three grandchildren. Even in illness, she poured all her love into them, and no one could make her laugh quite as hard as they could.

Susan was a longtime member of Union United Methodist Church in Irmo, SC, and of the Living Faith Sunday School Class – she cherished her relationship with this close-knit Sunday school group.

Susan is survived by her husband Jack Swails; daughter Erin Swails (Mike Lubash) of Richmond, VA; son Marshall Swails (Elizabeth) of Greenville, SC; grandchildren John and Virginia Swails and Emma Lubash; brother Ed Cole (Gayle) of Pawleys Island, SC; sister Patty Cole of Washington, DC; niece and nephews Ward and Alex Cole and Agee and Chapman Springer. She was preceded in death by her dear pets – Toddie the Boston Terrier (Go T-Dogs!) and Baxter the cat.

The family would like to extend their utmost gratitude to Susan’s oncologist, Dr. Joe Collins, and PA, Jessica Wheeler, for their compassionate care and encouragement over the last three years. They gave Susan precious, unforgettable time with all who loved her.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Union United Methodist Church in Irmo, South Carolina (7582 Woodrow Street). Following the service, the family invites guests to join them at the church for a time of visitation and remembrance. A private family graveside service will follow on Friday, August 21, at Pine Bluff Cemetery, Georgetown County.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society (American Cancer Society).

Bush River Funeral Home of Columbia, SC, is assisting the family with arrangements.