MARY FRANCES SWINDLE

Mary Frances Swindle, 78, went to be with the Lord on Sunday February 3rd 2019 at Metro Health Center Cleveland Ohio, after an extended illness Mary was born May 4th 1940 (and The Force was with her from the very beginning). Born to the late Roy and Thelma Clifton of Holt, AL she grew up in a rural setting and attended Holt High School where she met her husband Henry Swindle. They were married in 1957 and she began her married life as a Navy wife eventually living in San Diego, Charleston and Key West before they returned to Tuscaloosa in 1961 to start a family. As a full time Mom, she raised two sons, Hank and Chuck over the next 25 years, (along with several dogs, and various neighborhood and high school band kids.) She was born with a servant’s heart which bore out in various roles over the years as she taught kindergarten and preschool Sunday school, was a Cub Scout Den Mother, Band Booster, PTA member, elementary substitute teacher and fundraiser for charity. In 1984 she began another 26 year career as a secretary at Garywood Assembly of God in Hueytown where she handled various office duties primarily related to producing and printing programs and newsletters. In addition to handling the Tape ministry on Sundays she and Henry volunteered much of their time in a Food Ministry “The Son Shine Room”. It was a labor of love and she regularly filled food bags for people who came to the church seeking assistance. The program grew to be an important support program in the local community. She retired from Garywood in 2011. Mary loved crafts and cooking. Aunt Mary’s Baked Beans, scalloped potatoes, tacos, pound cake and Burger Burgers achieved legendary status among friends and family. She also was an accomplished Cake Boss, decorating wedding, anniversary and birthday cakes for friends and family alike. She believed that making good food for, and with, the ones you love most, is the truest act of service. Recent years have been highlighted by vacation trips to the beach or mountains to spend time with kids and grandkids and play with our dogs (she really loved dogs). Mary was a person who saw what needed to be done and went at it. She was an incredibly kind and loving person who loved to have fun and appreciated a good practical joke. When the grandkids would visit she might find her house shoes in the freezer or dishwasher or they might find a plastic spider on their pillow. (There were rumors that rubber bands were occasionally shot around the Garywood Office but there is no video evidence to support those allegations). Mary is survived by her husband Henry S. Swindle Sr. Sons Chuck Swindle of Port St Lucie, FL and Hank Swindle of Knoxville, TN. Siblings Roy Clifton, Rayford Clifton, and Shirley Cunningham; Daughters-in-law Ruth Swindle and Belinda Swindle; A host of caring nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, grand nieces, grand nephews, five Grandchildren and three Great Grandchildren After a life well lived, full of love and laughter, please join us in saying Good Bye. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM, Friday, February 8, 2019, at Peoples Chapel Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 2:00 PM at the Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Tuscaloosa Memorial Gardens.

MARY FRANCES SWINDLE

February 3, 2019