Janet McGuire McSween

As the sun rose up on the morning of February 8th Janet McGuire McSween went home to be with the Lord Jesus. Janet, 62, had been fighting an extended illness which attacked her lungs for the past three years but she now can breathe easy again in the presence of her heavenly Father. Janet was born in Harriman, Tennessee to Thomas and Margaret McGuire on March 13, 1950. She grew up strong willed and independent minded being the oldest of four children she would often set out on her own. She spent most of her early days in Franklin, North Carolina where she was popular in high school and well-liked by her classmates. While attending the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Janet met and married Donald McSween her husband of 41 years. After helping him complete his education she returned to UNCG and received her Bachelor of Science in Health Education. Mrs. McSween dedicated her life to enriching the lives of those around her through insightful observations, passionate encouragement, and powerful creativity. While raising two sons of her own she went back to school nights, weekends, and summers to become certified to teach in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School system. She taught at Charlotte Christian School, McClintock Middle School, South Charlotte Middle School, and Jay Robinson Middle School. She would work to become a National Board Certified Teacher and mentor other young teachers who point to her as the touchstone of their own educational careers. As an 8th grade Science teacher she positively impacted the futures of thousands of students. They credit her with changing the way they thought about Science and about themselves. A resilient perfectionist, she dedicated long hours of her own personal time to preparing the best possible lessons for the students who she loved so much and whom she referred to as her “kids”. Her creativity was seemingly unlimited as she threw her imaginative mind into projects both big and small. Designing hundreds of hand-crafted costumes for plays, musicals and dances that enriched the storytelling of productions by groups like King David Christian Conservatory, “The Passion Play”, “Gloria” and the “Calvary Players”. She organized and decorated interiors for special events, family occasions, and professional conferences that sparkled with color and her own personal flare. She led award-winning teams of students to national recognition in Science Olympiad competitions where year after year her teams won top prizes in the State. During her years as a teacher she also helped oversee more than a decade’s worth of award-winning year books for schools including South Charlotte Middle School and Jay Robinson Middle School. The designs and layouts she helped students create were recognized with numerous awards from National Design and Journalistic organizations. At the center of who Janet was is her belief in Jesus Christ as her own personal Savior. Her faith brought joy to her life and carried her through tough times. Her heart was to see the testimony of Jesus spread through her witness in the lives of those around her. As she began to realize her time in this world was coming to a close she became even more passionate in her worship of God through her conversations and discussions of His Word. Janet matured in her dedicated walk as a strong Christian while being a member of Calvary Church for over thirty years. Later in life she was drawn to the passionate and expressive teaching and worship experience of Elevation Church where she attended regularly. She is remembered by her husband of 41 years, Donald Boyd McSween II. Brian Logan McSween married to Megan Elisabeth McSween, with their son Connor. David Latham McSween married to Carolyn Gathman McSween, and their daughters Delaney and Audrey, and son Mitchell. Janet is survived by her mother, Margret Johnson McGuire, her brother, Thomas McGuire, Jr. and his family, her sister, Carol McGuire Shaw and her son, and her brother Lawrence “Bruce” McGuire and his family. Visitation Service will be held in Lowe Funeral Home at 4715 Margaret Wallace Road on Monday February 11th from 6-8 pm. Funeral Service will be held in Garr Memorial Church at 7700 Wallace Rd on Tuesday February 12th at 10:00am. To share memories and read more about Janet please visit: www.McSweenFamily.com Instead of flowers the family asks that donations be made by check to the following: Harvest Church PO Box 668154 7429 Tuckaseegee rd. Charlotte, NC 28226 For: Byrum Adoption Fund

Janet McGuire McSween

March 13, 1950 - February 8, 2013