On February 1, 1983, one of the brightest, purest-of-heart, young, divine, and melanated Godseeds entered this earthly realm, delivered into the loving arms of Kathryn Swift-McGriff and loving stepfather, Tommy McGriff (biological father, Ray McNeal). Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, he was the firstborn of Kathryn Swift-McGriff and Tommy McGriff (and one of eleven to Ray McNeal), and he was given the name, Cornelius Dwayne Swift.

At an early age, you could tell he carried an old soul in his earthly body, very determined to live as the free spirit that he was. He attended Head Start at Muskogee, at an early age. He received awards in his school years till graduation. He went on to Hilldale Public School and Muskogee High School, where he excelled in sports and achieved excellent grades.

He grew up with two sisters in the home, Tameka Shantel McGriff of Muskogee, Oklahoma, and Whitney Renee McGriff of Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Katy and Tommy McGriff. He loved spending time with his sisters as they grew through the years. It was later on, after attending Hilldale Public School and Muskogee High School, he moved off to California, where he finished high school at Chapman Unified School while living with an uncle and aunt who lived in California. He then moved back to Muskogee, OK, after he graduated from Chapman Unified School. He grew up around some of his other siblings (on Ray's side) whom he got in touch with in his teenage years and later met all the other siblings (10 total) in his late teens / early 20s and always kept in touch after they got in touch that first time. They included Alvin Bishop, April McCloud, Rico Bishop, and Moniqueka Railback, all of OKC, Brandon Draper, Quinton Graham, Jerry McNeal, and Cleo McNeal, all of Muskogee, OK, and Essence Wright and Ebony Wright, both of Kansas.

He loved all his family, even if they didn't get to see each other often. Wayne was a big, bubbly, outgoing person who could make a friend in anyone he met. He carried an "I'm gonna save the world" type of personality, would give you the shirt off his back, even if it was his last, always quick to help anyone in need. At 16, he became a dad to his first princess, Annariah Marie Kosterlistzky, now 22 years old, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, who gave him his first granddaughter, Ziraiyah Marie Kosterlistzky, whom he never got to meet.

From his late teens on, he worked different odd-and-end jobs. Cornelius had one of the hardest work ethics and a passion to get a job done right. He later went on to work for several really amazing employers, 2W Towers, Texoma, Five Linx, Reddy Ice, and Pratt Industries. Swift was very adventurous and loved doing outdoor activities and bonding with people. He loved being out in nature any time he got the chance. Had many friends all over in many towns and states.

Dwayne loved fashion and always loved to dress to impress but not necessarily to impress anybody, just to feel good about himself. He loved ironing all his clothes and everybody else's, too. He was a very clean type of person; he loved to clean the house and do housework for anyone. He was just very loving and kind.

On the 26th of August 2015, Cornelius Dwayne Swift married the love of his life, Skylar Nichole Cook-Swift. He was 32, and she was 22 at the time they married. They were married six long years, and from this union of love came a beautiful, unique little princess, LaiLei Jean Swift, 4. Wayne was a loving, passionate, caring husband who loved having adventures and creating and embracing every memory made with his wife and kids and other family and friends. He was talented at many, many things. He lived life to the fullest in every chance that came his way. Wayne was passionate about being a go-getter and loved art, animals, and cooking. You could often find him journaling, drawing, and vibing to all kinds of music. A God-loving man, he was very spiritual in his own way.

Tragically, on December 16, 2021, Cornelius Dwayne Swift's earthly body was brutally taken from us when he was murdered, and his beautiful, divine soul returned to the spirit realm, where he became our guardian angel, until we all meet again……

Cornelius was preceded in death by his loving grandmother, Catherine Swift, grandfather, Calvin Swift, grandmother, Betty Jo Teague, great-grandmother, Cleo Hill, cousin, Marcus Dyer,  grandmother-in-law, Jessie Cook, and aunt-in-law, Jamie Cook-Walker.

To cherish Swift's memory and continue his legacy, he leaves his loving wife, Skylar Swift, and daughter, LaiLei Swift of Tahlequah, OK; oldest daughter, Annariah Kosterlistzky, and her daughter, Ziraiyah Kosterlistzky of Tulsa, Oklahoma; parents, Kathryn and Tommy McGriff of Muskogee, OK (biological father, Ray of Wainwright, OK); siblings by Katy and Tommy, Tameka McGriff of Muskogee, and Whitney McGriff of Tulsa; from Ray's side, Alvin Bishop of OKC, Brandon Draper of Muskogee, April McCloud of OKC, Essence Wright and Ebony Wright, both of Kansas, Rico Bishop and Moniqueka Railback, both of OKC, Quinton Graham, Cleo McNeal, and Jerry McNeal, all of Muskogee; mother-in-law, Anjillia Cloud of Tahlequah; brother-in-law, Vandis Keller of Tahlequah; nephews, Tameka's son, Trenton McGriff of Muskogee, and Whitney's son, Ezra Webster of Tulsa; nieces, Moniqueka's daughter, MiQuia Bishop of OKC, Whitney's daughters, Jazlynn Webster and Sahmya Webster, both of Tulsa; and great-niece, MiQuia's daughter, Royalty Bishop of OKC; along with a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Service of Memory will be conducted, Friday, January 7, 2022 at 3:00 P.M. in the Precious Memories Chapel of House of Winn Funeral Home-Muskogee.  Public visitation, Friday, January 7th beginning at 11:00 a.m. up to service time.  Following services there will be cremation.

MASKS are encouraged at all services

The family has been cared for by, House of Winn Funeral Home-Muskogee.