Dick and Sandra Tunnell have lived in Swan Quarter since 1975 when they started their life on the family farm, Tunnell Farms Inc. Since then, they have been involved heavily in the small community raising their two children, Jamie, 27, and David, 23.

Dick Tunnell served on and chaired the Hyde County Board of Education for 16 years. He is currently a member of the North Carolina Vegetable Growers Association, a member of the Swan Quarter Lions Club, and actively involved with Soule United Methodist Church. Their former church, Providence United Methodist Church, was flooded in 2003 and members of this historical church then merged with Soule UMC.  He graduated from N.C. State University in 1975.

Sandra Tunnell has worked at home and has been the  bookkeeper for Tunnell Farms, Inc.  Her volunteer  work and total involvement in the family's activities has kept her busy.  She is treasurer for Soule United Methodist Church and taught Sunday School for 20 years. She is from Justice, N.C., Franklin County, and graduated from Peace College in 1973 and Meredith College in 1975.

They still operate the family farm across the road from the Tunnell Farmhouse.