Natalie Tidwell

Natalie Tidwell was born on February 23, 1936 in Santee, South Carolina to (the late) Helen and Andrew Swinton. She attended Whittemore High School in Conway, South Carolina, but having a passion for sewing and fashion, thus enrolled in fashion school to hone her skills in design.

After moving to New York, she married Robert Lee Tidwell in September 1960.  Natalie worked for Shearson Lehman Brothers until her retirement at age seventy-two.  A lifelong learner, she pursued her education after retiring, and graduated from Touro College with her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management.

Sunday and holiday dinners, family barbecues and events, brought her great joy, and she loved cooking delicious meals for family and friends. Natalie loved people and always had a listening ear and sound advice for all who needed it.  Everyone was welcomed into her home for a meal, a bed, or just a loving embrace.  Most of all, Natalie loved her family deeply and was the true definition of a matriarch.

Natalie was active on various Boards and associations within her place of worship, Bethel Baptist Church, where she was a member for over forty years.  She was an Usher for thirty-two years, a Nurse for twelve years and served as the President of the Nurses’ Unit for eight years.

On Friday, July 9, 2021, Natalie Tidwell became absent from the body and present with the Lord.  She was preceded in death by her mother Helen, her father Andrew, her husband Robert, her brother Joseph, her granddaughter Denise, and great-grandsons: Christian and Trevor Blake. 

Natalie shall be lovingly remembered by her sons: Raleigh Swinton (Zeslie), Alfonso Swinton (Maebell Gloster), Robert Tidwell (Glendo) and Eric Tidwell; her daughters: Marilyn Swinton-Pyatt, Veronica Tidwell and Lolita Tidwell; her stepdaughter Tyanna Tidwell-Walker; her twenty-one grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, her brother Milford Earl Swinton (Shelline); her sister Laura Lee Skinner; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, church members and friends.

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