Jane Swanson McWhorter, age 85, of Huntsville, Alabama passed away on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. Jane was born February 18, 1936 in LaGrange, Illinois to the late Lois A. and C. William Swanson. After a long and adventure filled life as an Army wife, she and her husband, Jim, settled in Huntsville in 1980.
She married Jim McWhorter on June 25, 1953 in LaGrange, IL. She quickly adapted to the Army life, raising a family while living in numerous states and countries: Wurtzburg, Germany; Ft Bragg, NC; Teague, Korea; Ft Lewis, WA; Ft Rucker, AL; Friendly, MD (Pentagon); Ft Riley. KS. She returned to Illinois for several years when Jim was deployed to Vietnam in 1965 and 1968. She was an amazing mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved nature and being near or in the water. She was a member of the American Red Cross serving as a volunteer as well as a first aid and swim coach instructor/trainer for over 50 years. She also served with the Girl Scouts of North Alabama Council as Vice President. She joined First, now Journey, Church of the Nazarene as it was being built. She was very loving and giving as expressed by a common saying throughout her house: I AM BLESSED BECAUSE YOU ARE IN MY LIFE!
Jane is survived by her loving husband of 68+ years, Jim McWhorter; daughter Laura Butler (and husband Joe) of Winchester, Tennessee; sons Tom McWhorter (and wife Gail) of Yorktown, Virginia, and Dan McWhorter (and wife Barbara) of Lavallette, New Jersey; brother David Swanson (and wife Ragnhild) of LaGrange, Illinois; 9 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.
Jane was preceded in death by her father C. William Swanson and her mother Lois Swanson; her brother Mike Swanson; and her granddaughter Melissa Miner.
A visitation for Jane will be held Wednesday, January 19, 2022 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Journey Church of the Nazarene, 9640 Meridian St N, Huntsville, AL, followed by a memorial service and celebration of life at 10:30 AM. Inurnment will be at Valhalla Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the American Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the McWhorter family may be shared at: www.valhallafunerals.com .
