Geraldine Spruill Swinton

Geraldine “Geri” Spruill Swinton was born on February 12, 1947, in Edenton, NC to Rosa (Bond) and Melvin Spruill.Melvin died while serving as a paratrooper in the 3rd Battalion, 505th Airborne Infantry Regiment at Ft. Bragg when Geri was five years old. She and her mother, Rosa, relocated to a hardworking, tight-knit community in Highland Falls, NY during a time when southern African Americans followed family members “Up North” during the ‘Great Migration’. Rosa remarried and the family expanded with the birth of Geri’s brothers, Wallace Harvey, Jr. and Gary Harvey. 

Not long after moving to Highland Falls, at approximately eight years of age, Geraldine met the three eldest Swinton children, another family that migrated from the deep south (Avon Park, FL). When the trio walked past Geri’s yard on Center Street, little did she know that ten-year-old Walter Swinton was her future husband.

Geri was baptized at St. Mark’s AME Church in Highland Falls in 1964. She graduated from Highland Falls high school in 1965where she served as the first African American Drum Majorette. She initially matriculated at Shaw University in her native North Carolina. She was talented in bookkeeping and accounting, which served her well throughout her career in banking and business operations. 

Geri and Walter Swinton married in 1966. From this union came three sons into whom she poured her heart: Brent and twins,Damon and Darien. Geri’s organizational skills and ‘can do’ attitude provided a stable foundation for the household. Her presence, love and affection were a constant in the lives of her children. The family resided for brief periods in Winston-Salem, NC, and Columbia, SC. However, the three boys were raised mainly in College Park (Atlanta), GA. Geri and Walter stressed higher education as a priority. After seeing all three sons earnmaster’s degrees, Geri and Walter completed their own bachelor’s degrees at Belhaven University and the University of Central Florida, respectively.

Walter and Geri moved to Orlando, FL in 1995. Walter passed away in 2020, and Geri subsequently relocated to Laurel, MD in 2024 where she lived independently and demonstrated her trademark intrepid spirit as she built a new life in Maryland. She was a follower and believer of Jesus Christ and fellowshipped at River of Life Christian Center in Orlando, and Touch of Love Bible Church in Laurel.

Geraldine went to a truly well-earned final rest on January 25, 2026. She is survived by her sons: Brent (Karla) Swinton of Laurel, MD, Damon Swinton of Orlando FL, and Darien (Nakia) Swinton of Plano, TX; three granddaughters (all of whom are college students): Mikaela, Nyla and Gabrielle; her brother, Gary (Juanita) Harvey of Orlando, FL, her aunt Margie MacPherson of Edenton, NC, and a host of cousins, in-laws, and lifelong friends.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 11am at Horton’s Funeral Home and Cremations in Hertford, NC. Mrs. Swinton will lie in peaceful repose from 10am until time of service.  

In honoring the memory of Mrs. Swinton, the family is respectfully requesting that guests wear shades of yellow to the Celebration of Life. This color was particularly significant to Mrs. Swinton and reflects the joy, warmth, and light she brought into the lives of all who knew her.

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