Edna Pauline Swafford Burns, 97, passed away Tuesday, August 16 at McMinn Memorial Nursing Home in Etowah, TN, where she had been a resident since December, 2004.

Born in the Claxton Community in McMinn County, she was the daughter of the late Oscar and Mollie Swafford.

Pauline graduated from Etowah High School in 1937. She was a kind, gentle person, with a genuine love of family, a strong spirit, a courageous sense of adventure and zest for life. MaMaw, as she was called lovingly by all her family, loved to read her Bible, write letters, work in her bountiful garden, and paint ceramics.

Her yeast rolls were legendary, always made in the same iron skillet, and no one could duplicate them, although many have tried. She was a loving, active member of Goodsprings Baptist Church, and a member of the choir and Sunday school class.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles Hugh Burns; parents, listed above; one sister, Sue Bennett; and two brothers, Arthell and Carlos Swafford.

She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Burns Mouch, of Crossville, TN; son, Wendell H. Burns of Chattanooga, TN; sister, Lucille Allison, of Friendsville, TN; five grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren.

Heartfelt thanks are given from her family to her devoted caregiver, Sharon Davis, and to nurses of both A and B Wings of McMinn Memorial Nursing Home, who treated her with care and compassion.

Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. and services at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 20, 2016 in the chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home. Interment will be at Goodsprings Cemetery immediately following the service.