Oletha Swain

Oletha Swain was born on August 31, 1924, in Helfin, Louisiana, (Webster Parrish)
to her parents, Esaac Tillman and Sallie Bailey Tillman. She was the youngest of nine children born in the family. She was raised surrounded by her brothers, Thelma, Wilmer, Elmer, Elijah, Moses, Wallace, and her sisters, Lorraine and Eliza. She received her early education in Louisiana where she completed the eleventh grade.

A woman of faith and belief in the Lord, Oletha accepted the Lord as her personal savior at a very early age. She currently was a member of Cedar Street Baptist Church of God in Richmond, Virginia, Pastor Dr. Anthony Chandler.

Oletha first married, Floyd A Hamlet to this union, Stella, Gloria, Floyd, Leonard, and Mary were born. She married, Nathaniel Swain on April 10, 1959, to this union, Deborah, Ellen, and Nathaniel, III, were born. Nathaniel preceded her in death on November 12, 1998. She was blessed with twenty-seven grandchildren; fifty nine great grandchildren; and thirty great great grandchildren, who all were an additional source of joy and pride in her life.

Oletha was employed by Denver General Hospital in Denver, Colorado as a Food Service Supervisor. She was hardworking, dedicated, and performed her duties with meticulous detail. She was respected by her staff and worked well with the management team. She retired after many years of dedicated service.

Oletha was a fun-loving woman, who enjoyed life and those she encircled. In her free time, she enjoyed cooking. She was passionate about what she prepared. She loved baking pies, cakes, and cookies. Her homemade ice-cream was simply a delight. She loved her family and the quality time spent with them. She was the type of person who never met a stranger and was a friend to many. She didn't mind lending a helping hand to anyone in need. She would open her home and her cooking without hesitation. She had a golden heart with a light that will forever shine. To know Oletha was to love her.

She is preceded in death by husband, Nathaniel Swain, Jr.; a son, Leonard Hamlet; a daughter, Mary L. Hamlet Jones; her parents, Esaac and Sallie Tillman; and all her siblings.

Oletha Swain departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on April 23, 2019, in North Chesterfield, Virginia. Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss include 2 sons, Floyd A. Hamlet of Aurora, Colorado and Nathaniel Swain, III of Chesterfield, Virginia; 4 daughters, Stella L. Hamlet-Vasquez, Gloria D. Hamlet both of Aurora, Colorado, Deborah M. (Dion) Nesbitt of Washington, DC, and Ellen D. Williams of North Chesterfield, Virginia; 27 grandchildren; 51 great grandchildren; 30 great great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.

Visitation : May 6, 2019 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace
6601 Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80220
(303) 996-0869

Celebration of Life : May 7, 2019 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace
6601 Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80220
(303) 996-0869

Interment : May 7, 2019 1:00 pm - 1:20 pm

Fort Logan National Cemetery
3698 S Sheridan Blvd
Denver, CO 80235