Sharon Swanson

With Great Sorrow we write to announce the passing of a Faithful Daughter, Proud Grandmother, Loving sister and mother and God’s own, Sharon Lee Ruth Swanson. Born July 16th, 1937 at 11:52p in Long Beach, CA. She was the oldest daughter of J. Harvey Ruth (AZ) and Evelyn Lee Higgins (IL). She is preceded in rebirth by her daughter Susannah Swanson; Amazing parents, ‘Papa’ and ‘Tutu’ Ruth; Hazel and ‘Uncle’ Don McGoldrick of Oregon; brother Michael Ruth of Califon, NJ. She is survived by her brother Patrick Ruth of Nashville, TN; sister Lani Bruce of Nashville, TN; my Father Ltc. (Ret.) David W. Swanson of Honolulu, HI; her three Grateful children Shawn Marie Bogen of Yokosuka, Japan; son Stephen Evar Swanson of Katy, TX; David Erik Swanson of Roswell, GA; and 10 grandchildren: Jenna, Leif, Emily, John David, Claire and Chloe Bogen; Dylan and Faith Swanson; Marissa and Rachel Swanson; and one Great Grand Son, Banks Crosby; and Reese, her loyal companion.

During Mom’s life she had lived in over 35 homes before the age of 42. From Long Beach, CA to Summit, NJ to Honolulu, HI to Nashville, TN and finally with me in Roswell, GA. While her father worked for the Kress Department stores and retired as a VP of Real Estate for Genesco in Nashville, TN and her husband was an active and decorated 28 year Army officer serving in Korea and Vietnam.

Mom could tell you about December 7th, 1941 when as a 4 year old she watched Pearl Harbor being attacked. She trained with a Hula master in Hawaii and was a graceful kamaaina hula dancer her whole life. She loved to sing and was a member of many church choirs. She graduated from Tucson High School and spent some time at Beaver College. She married a West Pointer and became a Dedicated and Faithful Army wife raising a family while moving every year or two to a new military post through 3 combat deployments…and then some. Army wives often deserve the same kind of commendations their warrior husbands received – Mom did for sure. She loved music, dance, playing games, laughing, her Faith, her family, her friends, and her country. Mom lived a long and full life. I’m sorry we didn’t make it to Greece or Jerusalem Mom.

Mom was a dedicated child of a Holy and Celebrated Father. She was a Loving and dedicated Mother and Grand Mother; a teacher at Waialua Elementary School on the North Shore of Oahu, and a librarian at Punahou School in HI to students like Barrack Obama; a receptionist at H.G. Hills corporate office in Nashville, TN; a Retail clerk at Castner-Knott; a prayer volunteer at Forest Hills Baptist Church, a supporter of Samaritans purse and an Avid prayer Warrior to Every and Any stranger that seemed to her to be in need of God’s Grace.

Her favorite thing to do, to touch you and say, ‘Let’s pray about it…’. Her Favorite Verse…EVERY ONE OF THEM, she could literally cite the Bible, but one stands out, Matthew 18:20 ‘For where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I among them’. Our mother would regret not saying goodbye to you in person and giving you a Hug. She Loved to find out your story and tell the next person she meets about You and about God, not her. She would tell you she was ‘Blessed’ and that we should all be Thankful. She and her brother Michael shared another favorite verse from Philippians 4: 6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” She asked that all her children and grandchildren read and memorize the bible and rewarded them starting with Psalm 23 – another of her favorites. She lived simply and humbly for her Lord, her Ohana and her friends.

We LOVE you Mom, and We know you are where you ALWAYS wanted to be. Please Hug her tight for us God! Aloha nui loa! Aloha Ohana! Aloha friends of our Mom, Sharon Swanson.

In lieu of flowers our mother would ask this of you:

1. Honor God in All that you do.

2. Live by the Ten Commandments.

3. Make a donation to your local church

4. When Fate introduces you to a stranger Say a prayer with them.

5. Let Faith, Hope and LOVE inspire your future.

We will have a Memorial Visitation at Forest Hills Baptist Church, her Faith Home, in Nashville, TN on Friday, January 13th at 2pm CST. Her remains will be laid to rest at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Galesburg, IL on Saturday January 21st at 2pm CST.