Aretta Swanson, 86, of Dawsonville, died Aug. 18, 2016.

Born March 9, 1930 in Chattanooga, Tenn., to the late Carroll and Kitty Avis White, she had lived in Dawson County for the past 43 years, having moved from Tellico Plains, Tenn.

Mrs. Swanson was a homemaker and attended New Life Bethel Church.

Aretta loved to sing and was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

Her husband, Arnold Swanson; daughters, Infant Lois Swanson, Louise Dalton, Rebecca Clark; grandson, Chris Phillips; step-granddaughter, Renee Nichols; step-grandson, Terry Nichols; sisters, Armelia Sloan, June West; brothers, Frank White, Wendell White, Vernon White, Jimmy White, Namon White and Jesse White; several half-brothers and half-sisters, preceded her in death.

Survivors include her children, Brenda Arlene and Leland Nichols, Steve Swanson, Peggy and David Sosebee, Jean Land, all of Dawsonville, Russell Swanson of Kennesaw, Mike and Ann Swanson of Gainesville, Kitty Slaton and Michael Pilcher, Ginger and Danny McGee, all of Cumming; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and half-brothers and half-sisters; sisters, Mary Jo Hill, Linda White, all of Tellico Plains, Tenn.; various other relatives also survive.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Aug. 20 in the Bearden Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Jeff Wilkie and Jackie Christopher officiating. Interment services were held at 2 p.m. Aug. 21 in the Epperson Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Tellico Plains, Tenn.

Bearden Funeral Home of Dawsonville was in charge of the arrangements.