Obituary of Gladys Estelle Swearingen

Gladys E. Swearingen Services for Gladys E. Swearingen, 86, of Barnum, TX will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, April 5, 2014 in the Riley Funeral Home Chapel in Woodville, TX. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until time of service. Burial will be at Pine Grove Cemetery in Barnum Community. Mrs. Swearingen was born in Carmona, TX (Polk County). She passed away in a hospice center in Lufkin, Texas on April 1, 2014. Mrs. Swearingen had lived in Barnum 70 years and was a member of Barnum First Baptist Church. She and her husband, Merwin, were among the first to become members of the newly organized Barnum First Baptist Church. Both served in many positions in the church over the next 50 years. Mrs. Swearingen worked with G.A.s, Acteens, WMU and other women’s and girls’ activities over many years. She taught herself to play the piano and played on many occasions. She directed several girls’ camps, worked vacation bible schools and was involved with a mission trip to Washington State. Mrs. Swearingen loved to sew, quilt and cook. She cooked and served many meals to visiting preachers, song leaders and family members. Her home was always open to those who needed rest and food. Her home was always the gathering place on holidays and other occasions. After her children were grown, Mrs. Swearingen worked several jobs before retiring; W.T Carter’s Brothers, Fred Smith Grocery and Barnes-Neal Meat Processing. She served as election judge for may Chester School Board elections and many Polk County primaries. Mrs. Swearingen spent innumerable hours quilting. She quilted at least fifty quilts; these have been given to family and friends. She also quilted with the ladies of Caney Creek Baptist Church until her health would no longer let her do so. This was a special time for her each week. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Agnes Trigg of Camden, TX; husband of 62 years, Merwin A. Swearingen; son Joe E. (Pete) Swearingen; brother, Leo Trigg; and son-in-law, Glen Williams. Mrs. Swearingen is survived by son and daughter-in-law Jerry and Delores Swearingen of Barnum, TX; daughter, Sarah Williams of Huntington, TX; two sisters: Mary Lou Adkinson and husband of Diboll, TX, and Sarah Ann Kirby and husband Bill of Riverside, TX; seven grandchildren: Sharon Spivey and husband Kraig of Kountze, TX, Jerry Don Swearingen and wife Dana of Hudson, TX, Brian Williams and wife Amy of San Saba, TX, Tim Swearingen of Houston, TX, Chris Williams of Lufkin, TX, Adrianne McCasland of Oklahoma City, OK, and Stephane Starline and husband Chad of Trinity, TX; eight great-grandchildren: Makayla, Makenna, Andrew, Kaitlin, Bailey, Abby, Hayden and Lainey; and daughter-in-law, Judy Clarke. Serving as pallbearers are Jerry Don Swearingen, Tim Swearingen, Chris Williams, Chad Starling, Kraig Spivey, Patrick Cherry, Al Bryan, and Curtis Parker. Honorary pall bearers are Robert Vinson, Aubrey Cherry, and Andrew Spivey. An extra special thanks goes to Shirley Juricic of Cherino, TX for the special care she gave to Mrs. Swearingen of the past several months. Funeral services are under the direction of Riley Funeral Home of Tyler County.