Betty Jane Swearengin

Betty Jane Swearengin, daughter of V.E. Heard and Betty Jane Haney Heard, was born May 6, 1930, north of Diggins, Missouri, in Webster County. She departed this life Saturday, September 11, 2021, at 12:55 AM, at the age of 91 years, 4 months, and 5 days, with her loving family by her side.

On March 10, 1948, she was united in marriage to Bobby Joe Swearengin, and to this union one daughter and one son were born.

Jane or ‘Babe’ as some called her, was preceded in death by her parents, husband, her sisters, Loretta Bruton, Mable Evans, Hazel Heard, Marie Cornelison Cantrell, Margaret Cummins, June Douthitt Bennett, and Twylah Owens Willard, and her brothers, Floyd, Virgil, Jess, and Jerry.

She is survived by her son, Rick J. Swearengin and Julie of Springfield, Missouri, her daughter, Sandy Newman and husband, Gary of Diggins, four grandchildren, Ricky J. Swearengin Jr. and wife, Becky, Jeff Newman and wife, Brenda, all of Seymour, Missouri, Gayla Freeman and husband, Scott, and Angie Johns and husband, Tony, all of Diggins, thirteen great-grandchildren, Tyler Newman, Tim Beck, Stormi Akers, Jett Jones, Jordan Freeman, Preston Freeman, Skyler Newman, Laikan Newman, Lilly Bray, Audrey Owings, Moriah Chari, Reece Swearengin, and Abiel Swearengin, three great-great-grandchildren, Tristan Beck, Lucy Owings, and Corbin Beck, one sister-in-law, Wanda Heard, many nieces and nephews, as well as a host of other relatives and friends.

After being born north of Diggins at the old Albers place, her family moved to Purdy, Missouri, when she was six months. At the age of 12, the family returned to Diggins.

After meeting Bob (through her brother Virgil) they began dating and got married at the ages of 18 and 20.

Jane was a factory worker working for Sunshine Biscuits in Kansas City, Lily Tulip in Springfield, H.D. Lee in Seymour, then R.T. French’s in Springfield before retiring after 18 ½ years of loyal service.

She made her profession of faith in Christ in her early twenties and attended Diggins Apostolic Church until her health wouldn’t allow her to attend anymore. She loved her church family and being able to hold all the babies.

In her spare time, she loved painting, gardening, yard work, and especially enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and having Tristan help her walk with her cane then eventually push her in her wheelchair. They were ALL the light of her life!

Grandma Jane will be remembered for her kind, meek spirit and love for all.

We celebrate her life and her accomplishments and will cherish the years we were able to spend with her.