Willie Ellen Swearingin

Willie Ellen Swearingin, 77, of Green Ridge, MO passed away Tuesday, May 07, 2019 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City. She was born on March 10, 1942, in Meridian, MS, the daughter of William Grady and James Ellen (Smith) Curry, who preceded her in death.

On June 25, 1957, she was united in marriage to Jack Edward Swearingin, who preceded her in death.

Willie enjoyed traveling, especially to Silver Dollar City. She really enjoyed all types of music as long as it had no bad words. Her greatest pleasure in life was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The highlight of her working career was the time she spent teaching preschool at Smithton, where she founded the program and taught for over 12 years. Up until the last few weeks, she was still running into adults that she had taught in preschool.

Survivors include seven children: Penny (Allen) Staley of El Paso, TX, Van (Denise) Swearingin of Green Ridge, Sherry (Anthony) Schwartz of Smithton, Debbie Stevenson (Gandhi Saied) of Columbia, Clint Swearingin of Green Ridge, Dan (Isabel) Swearingin of St Louis, and Judy (Nathaniel) Pritchard of Wales, UK; sixteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 pm, Friday, May 10, 2019, at Rea Funeral Chapel, Sedalia, MO with Chaplain (COL) Allen Staley, officiating.

Visitation will be one hour prior to service time at the funeral chapel.

Burial will be at 2:00 pm at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, MO.

Pallbearers will be Ryan Swearingin, Katie Swearingin, Zach Staley, Nathan Staley, Philip Staley, Jason Staley, Grady Swearingin, Lexi Perriguey, and Kobe Young.

Honorary bearers will be Eli Swearingin, Amy Swearingin, Willow Pritchard, Skye Pritchard, Bryce Crawford, Ethan Crawford, Jack Young, Clay Young, Gracelynn Young, Abby Werner, James Werner, Donna Stevenson, Brandon Swearingin, Layla Jackson, and Ibrahim Saied (Micah Staley).

Memorial contributions should be made to the Children's Charity of the donors choice in care of Rea Funeral Chapel.