Clayborne (Clabe) William Swanay

Clabe W. Swanay, 79, passed away on Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 10:15 p.m. at Elmcroft of Kingsport. Clabe was born October 5, 1936, the son of the late John F. and Pauline A. Swanay. Clabe retired after 40 years with the Kingsport Press, Arcata Graphics, and Quebecor World Book Manufacturing in the Engineering Department as a draftsman, and Sherwood Plant as an electrician. Clabe was a 1954 graduate of Sullivan High School and graduated with an Associate Degree from Northeast State Community College. He proudly served in the U.S. Army from August 1956 to August 1958.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his younger brother, John F. Swanay II; brother-in-law, Jim Statzer; maternal grandparents, Clabe and Ercel Andes; and paternal grandparents, William F. and Delana Frances Swanay.

Clabe is survived by his wife, Mary Helen Baldwin Swanay; daughter, Debra Kaye S. Oliver; and his pride and joy grandson, Matthew J. Oliver and wife Becca; great-grandsons, Tanner Mason Oliver, and Aiden James Oliver (due in September); sister, Frances Swanay Statzer; uncle, Clifford (Karen) Andes of Johnson City; nephews, James (Kim) Statzer II of Newnan, GA, and John F. (Karen) Swanay III of Knoxville; several great-nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

Military rites will be conducted at the Mountain Home National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 by the American Legion Posts 3/265.

The family would like to thank the staff, residents, and friends of Elmcroft for their care, concern, and love of Clabe.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Dobyns Bennett High School Band Boosters, in honor of grandson Matthew J. Oliver, DBHS Class of 1998, One Tribe Way, Kingsport, TN 37664.