Katherine Swanson Quinn

Sarah Katherine Swanson Quinn, age 88 a lifelong resident of the New Town Community went home to be with her Lord, Tuesday, February 13, 2024 peacefully and surrounded by her loving family.      

Katherine was born March 11, 1935 in Gordon County, Georgia. She was the daughter of the late James Lee (Jim) and Nancy Gilbert Swanson of Calhoun.  On June 13, 1953, she married the love of her life, Raymond C. Quinn.  For nearly 70 years, on a small family farm, in the New Town Community they built their life together along with their only daughter, and grandchildren.  She was a member of the Antioch Baptist Church, the Encouragers Sunday School Class and was the pianist as well as a Sunday School Teacher.

Katherine was a member of the 1953 graduating class of Red Bud High School. She worked as the bookkeeper in the 60’s for Swanson’s Building Supply and several other businesses.  She was the manager of the first Cato’s Clothing Store in downtown Calhoun. During the 70’s she attended Dalton Jr. College with studies in early childhood education.  She was employed by the Gordon County School System, first as a para-pro, and tutoring students in reading and then as Secretary for Red Bud Middle School. After a few years she was promoted to secretary for Red Bud High School. She served as the Cheerleading Advisor and affectionately referred to the squad as “her girls.” The 80’s opened doors to a very successful career in interior design and was hired by Wallpaper Connection in Dalton coordinating and designing residential and commercial decors. She became very sought after by customers, assisting them with their home color schemes, interior designs and furnishings.  This stent in interior design led to the ownership of Wallpaper Discount and Specialty Shoppe which she and Raymond operated for nearly 15 years.  

The most treasured and anointed talent that Katherine possessed was her love of gospel music and her ability to transpose music and play anything by ear.  She learned to play the piano as a young girl, read shape note music, and read and played very complex written music.  Katherine dedicated over 65 years of service in her music ministry giving honor and praises through songs to her Lord and Savior.  During her active years of servitude, she was the pianist at New Town Baptist Church, Antioch Baptist Church, Salem Baptist Church, Heritage Baptist Church, and Sugar Valley Baptist Church.  During her retirement, she filled in and was an interim pianist for many local churches in the area.  Katherine along with Raymond and dear friend, E.C. Hill, sang for many years across Northwest Georgia as the Quinn Trio.  She along with many of her precious friends blended their voices together in trios at church homecomings and fifth Sunday night singings.  She accompanied many soloists in the area playing the piano throughout her active years in her music ministry.  She was called on to play at hundreds of funerals during her lifetime and was proudly the pianist for the Owens Family Quartet.  She has written the lyrics and music for more than 60 gospel songs with many of them being published by Gospel Heritage Music.  She has been a faithful member for many years of the Gordon County Gospel Singing Convention held at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and attended many of the Georgia State Gospel Singing Conventions across the State. Her legacy for the love of gospel music combined with her faithfulness to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is left in the testimony of her songs she wrote, the music she composed and in the lives of her grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her husband Raymond C. Quinn to whom she was married for 69 years. Katherine was also preceded in death by a brother James Howard Swanson, two sisters Ida Lou Swanson Neal and Betty Ruth Swanson Fairchild, her Father and Mother-in-Law George C. and Edna Kelly Quinn, and a Sister-in-law Louise Quinn Greeson. She was also preceded in death by Infant great-grandchildren, Bryson William Logan and Rydlee Marybeth Logan. 

Survivors include her darling daughter, Donna Ree Quinn Padgett and her husband Tony, grandson Jeremy (Brooke) Logan and granddaughter Sarah (Josh) Davis, six great-grandchildren Braylin, Brylee and Berkley Logan, Aden, Hazel and Lilly Davis. She is also survived by a Brother-in-law Larry M. Quinn and his wife Kay, a Sister-in-law Morene Poarch.  Many beloved nieces and nephews, and precious cousins also survive.

A service to honor and celebrate the life of Sarah Katherine Quinn will be conducted Friday, February 16, 2024 at 2:00pm at Heritage Baptist Church with Rev. Mitch Phillips, Grandson Jeremy Logan, Rev. Eddie Brannon and Pastor Shane Parrott (Internment) officiating. Music will be arranged by Granddaughter Sarah Davis and Pianist Susan Frix. Interment will follow in the Haven of Rest Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends from 10:00am until the service hour of 2:00pm.  

Memorial Donations to honor the Christian Service of Sarah Katherine Quinn can be sent to the Heritage Baptist Church Music Ministry at 345 Curtis Parkway Calhoun, Georgia 30701.

Active Pallbearers includes Brian Quinn, Alan Quinn, Larry Quinn, Randy Swanson, Josh Davis, and Jason Davis  

The family would like to thank Jennifer and Jeremy England and the staff of the Oaks PCH; the physicians and staff at Tapestry Hospice, Shelly Richmond and a very special thanks to Shawnette Owens who helped care for Katherine for the past 2 years. And to Reba Kirby who God sent in the final weeks of her life to help care for His beloved servant.

Honorary Pallbearers: Antioch Baptist Church Encouragers Sunday School Class, Sheila Moss, Maxine Clements, Loretta Porch, Elsie Williams, Joan Eggers, Faye Land, Sammy and Bonnie Oliver, Jerry and Nancy Bearden, Donny White, Lloyd Conaway, Anthony Cochran, William and Jane Roberts, Faye Worley, Mark Talley, Jerry Clements, Donna Jackson, Raymond Ross, Michael Hunt, Charles and Pat Bradford, Betty Ray, Hazel Thornbrough, Clifford Free, Wanda Lumpkin, Kevin & Pat Phipps, Red Bud High School Cheerleaders Classes of 1974 – 1976, Bionca Curtis and Paige, The Staff of the Oaks PCH, and Tapestry Hospice.

You will see Roses placed on the pew in memory of Emily Thompson, Sheila White, Sue Stanfield, Bonnie Ross, and Polly Davis.  And roses are placed on the piano in memory of the many other precious Saints that have gone on before and joined their voices or music in singing and praise throughout the music ministry of Katherine Quinn.

The Brannon Family and staff are honored to serve the family of Katherine Quinn.