Amy Swink Via

Amy Swink Via, age 81, formerly of Eden, NC, passed from the arms of her loved ones at home into the arms of Her Lord and heaven on Sunday, February 26, 2017 in Mooresville, NC.  She lived a beautiful, generous and courageous Christian life, and was cherished by her family, friends, and church families in Eden, Mooresville, and Statesville.

A funeral service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, March 4, at First Church of the Brethren in Eden.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service (1 - 2 PM) at the church.  Burial will follow in Overlook Cemetery.  There will also be a Remembrance Service held on Sunday, March 12 at 3 PM at Elmwood United Methodist Church in Statesville, NC.

Amy was born on December 3, 1935 to the late Robie and Daisy Swink in Rockwell, NC where she graduated high school, met and married her one and only sweetheart, the late Swanson "Butch" Via and moved to his hometown of Eden.  When Debbie was born, she became the "sweetest and best mother in the world" and enjoyed every moment of their lives together.  She was a member of First Church of the Brethren, where she served as a Sunday school teacher for 32 years, youth leader, and director in the children's department.  Amy also served on many church boards, was a deacon, sang in the choir, and was a member of the Peters Memorial Class.

Mrs. Via worked as a dental assistant for Dr. J. A. O'Leary for 20 years and loved being known as his "nurse".  She was active in community service through Eastern Star Chapter 31 (Past Matron) and Mother Advisor to the Rainbow Girls of Leaksville Assembly 17.  She had a heart for children and helped many in the community, welcoming them into her home as her "special" family.  Amy had the gift of hospitality; she and Butch enjoyed decorating the whole house for Christmas - even building an upstairs party room so they could invite friends and family to celebrate Christmas together with home-cooked meals and fellowship.

In 2011, Amy moved into an apartment she had built onto her daughter's house where she lived with Debbie and Richard.  She enjoyed being Mamaw and Memaw to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Via is survived by her beloved daugther, Debbie Connelly and her husband, Richard of Mooresville, NC;  granddaughters, Rhonda Bowles and husband, Tommy of Mooresville and Vicky Connelly of Salisbury, NC;  great-grandchildren, Kayla, Elizabeth (Davey), Spenser Bowles, Jaden, Alison, Emily, C. J., Austin, Sherrill, Emily and Grace Gunther;  sister, Betty Lingle of Salisbury, NC;  brother, Tony W. Swink of Rockwell, NC; sisters-in-law, Margaret Murphy and Patsy Via of Eden and Eva Ann Via of Belmont;  adopted brother Jim Murphy (Cathy) of Rock Hill, SC; special children, Morgan, Sarah, Harley, Breanna, Emily, Angel, Amanda, Beth, Lesa, Teresa, Mitzi, and Terry.

The family would like to offer a special thanks to Larry and Carol Rhodes and church families at Park Avenue United Methodist Church in Mooresville and Elmwood United Methodist Church in Statesville.

Memorial contributions may be made to Elmwood UMC in Statesville, NC (3221 Salisbury Hwy Statesville, NC 28677), Park Avenue UMC in Mooresville, NC (648 W Park Ave, Mooresville, NC 28115), or to The First Church of The Brethren in Eden, NC (730 Church St, Eden, NC 27288)

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com