William Swift, III

Former owner of Swift Drug on Broad Street, Buddy Swift, died on May 31 after a long battle with cancer.

William Pope “Buddy” Swift, III, 75, died peacefully at his home, according to his obituary.

Funeral services is 11 a.m. June 4 at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Selma with the Rev. Steve Burton officiating. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 9:30 a.m., prior to the service. Burial will follow at New Live Oak Cemetery with Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home directing.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Marjorie Maxwell Swift; twin children, Ruth Swift (Scott) Newberry and William Pope (Bridges) Swift, IV; two grandchildren, Grace Ann Swift and Elizabeth Lea Swift and a sister, Frieda Swift Murfee.

Swift closed the family's popular drug store in 2022 after he was diagnosed with cancer. He talked to Black Belt News Network's Todd Prater about the tough decision to close after 106 years. Watch that here.

Cindy Fisher is Publisher of the Black Belt News Network and Selma Sun. You can reach her by emailing cfisher@blackbeltnewsnetwork.com.

Want to write for the Black Belt News Network? Send a resume or stories to news@blackbeltnewsnetwork.com.

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