Marcelyn Elizabeth Cosper Swanson, 88
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Marcelyn Elizabeth Cosper Swanson, of Fleming Island, FL, died peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Mrs. Swanson was born on June 13, 1936, in Tifton, GA to the late Cyrus Glenn and Ferol Eva Spinks Cosper. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Capt. Donald G. Swanson, USMC Retired; her daughter, Kristy Eva Swanson Fretham; and her brother, Darrell Lamar Cosper.
Mrs. Swanson leaves to cherish her life, her children, Deborah Groenendyk (Russell),Jacksonville, FL, Lynn Meares (Wayne), Orange Park, FL, Richard Swanson, Orange Park, FL, Jeff Swanson, Tifton, GA, and son in-law, Andrew Fretham, Jacksonville, FL; grandchildren, Marcella Stadt (Jeremiah), Mikah Groenendyk, The Reverend Savannah Ponder (Matt), Christopher Reno (Vivian Burns), Stephanie Reno (Johnny Robinson), Stacie Kennedy (Dennis), Shauna Meares, Bryce Swanson (Adrianna), Olyvia Swanson, Lauren Swanson, John McCarty, Jr., Jacob McCarty (Allison), and Jayson Fretham (Hope); as well as 12 great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Marcelyn was an accomplished musician who started singing in her church at the age of 7. Along with her father, Glenn, she was a member of numerous gospel quartets and performed in churches and gospel sings around Southwest GA throughout her school days. She also sang on a gospel radio program broadcast from Tifton, GA every weekend for several years. Following in her mother Ferol’s footsteps, she was a talented pianist and enjoyed playing for her family and friends at every opportunity. All through her life she joined community choirs wherever she lived, from the Albany Community Choir to the Waseca Community Chorale and everywhere in between. Her love for singing was second only to the love for her family.
She discovered a talent for oil painting after Capt. Swanson’s transfer to Camp LeJeune, NC in 1967. Her love of gardening and flowers can be found in many of her paintings along with paintings of the beach and the South GA landscape. Her paintings can be found in the homes of her children, grandchildren and extended family.
She served as the Church Secretary at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Albany, GA where the family attended church for many years. Capt. Swanson’s military career took them from the Albany Marine Corps Base in Albany, GA to Bethlehem, PA, and then Camp Lejeune, NC. During her husband’s service in Viet Nam and his duty assignment to Okinawa, Japan, Mrs. Swanson returned to Tifton, GA to be near her family. The family resided in Albany, GA after her husband’s military retirement. They later moved to Waseca, MN, where they lived for several years before retiring to Fleming Island, FL in 2003 to be near their children.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Green Cove Springs, FL, with The Reverend Teri Calinao officiating. Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 3 at Russell Haven of Rest Cemetery, Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2335 Sandridge Road, Green Cove Springs, FL. Family and friends may share their condolences at: www.rhrfh.com, 904-284-7720.