October22, 2026, 84, Mount Olive – Clayton Swinson, life-long resident of Mount Olive and the surrounding area, passed away late morning, Thursday, October 22, 2026. He was 84 and had been in declining health for some time.
Funeral services will be held Monday, October 26, at 3:00p.m. by the graveside at Wayne Memorial Park. Officiating will be the Rev. Paul Rose. Friends and relatives may greet Janet and other members of the family at the cemetery after the service, and at other times at the residence.
Clayton was raised in the Beautancus community near Mount Olive, and he graduated from North Duplin High School. Aside from working on the farm with his parents and siblings, his work in the public sector began with employment with the Montague famliy in auto parts sales in Goldsboro. After a short while, he came to Mount Olive continuing with the Montagues at Motor Parts and Machine Service which was located on North Center Street, downtown. The business later relocated to a new property on North Breazeale Avenue. Later on, he and Ray Brogden, a close friend and rescue squad associate, purchased the business, renaming it C and R Auto Parts. As time passed, they sold the business and sought out other career avenues. Clayton began working with Wayne County Sheriff’s Office as a jailor at the detention center. Later he would become purchasing agent. Lastly, he served as a dispatcher with the Wayne County Emergency Services.
He had served as a volunteer with Mount Olive Rescue Squad for a good while, and it was during that involvement that he acquired the nickname of “Goose,” which remained constant with some of his friends until his dying day. Clayton had also been a member of the Mount Olive Kiwanis Club in years gone by.
He leaves behind his daughter, Janet Lorelle Swinson, of the home in Mount Olive; a brother, the Rev. James “Jimmy” Swinson of Mount Olive; a sister-in-law, Gayle Holllingsworth Joyner of Faison; a brother-in-law, Joe Tom Holllingsworth of Puerto Rica; and a good number of nieces and nephews from both the Swinson and Holllingsworth families.
Clayton was preceded in death by his wife, Glenda Hollingsworth Swinson; his parents, Elmer and Edna Grice Swinson; two brothers, Bruce Swinson and Donald Swinson, and a sister, Jean Swinson Whitfield.
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