Laurel Lee Pierce Swinford's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Laurel Lee Pierce Swinford, age 93 of Charleston, entered her Heavenly Home on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 while at Life's Journey Senior Living in Mattoon. Visitation for family and friends will be held from Noon until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Services honoring and celebrating her life will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral chapel with Pastor Mike Southards officiating. Burial will follow in Humboldt Cemetery located west of Humboldt, IL. It is requested that thoughtful donations in her honor be made to the First Christian Church or to the Alzheimer's Association. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or services, or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Laurel was born May 6, 1923 in Charleston, IL, a daughter of the late William and Emma (Andrews) Davis. She married R. Dale Pierce on April 9, 1945 and they celebrated 37 years of marriage prior to his death on October 3, 1982. She later married C. Duaine "Buck" Swinford on October 9, 1985 and shared 20 years of marriage prior to his death on October 31, 2005. Left to cherish her memory are two sons, Ron Pierce and wife Linda of Charleston and Rick Pierce and wife Susan of Geneseo, IL; a stepdaughter, Sharon Wunderle and husband Steve of Carterville, IL; 5 grandchildren, Gretchen Pierce, Josh (Nikki) Pierce, Zach (Kate) Pierce, Jon (Angie) Pierce and Amy (Jim Havlik) Pierce; 3 step-grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 5 step-great-grandchildren; 3 sisters-in-law, Lucille Pierce, Barbara Babbs and Vena Davis; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. In addition to her parents and both husbands, she was preceded in death by a stepson, Mike Swinford; 2 brothers, Lowell and Leonard Davis; and 2 sisters, Elizabeth Gilbert and Alice Meredith. Laurel was a graduate of Eastern Illinois State High School in Charleston and was employed many years as a seamstress with the Mattoon Garment Factory. She was a woman of faith and was a longtime member of First Christian Church in Charleston where she was involved with many church activities and was a member of the Young-At-Heart Club. Her marriage to Dale allowed her to experience farm life and she relished living in the country and helping him farm and care for their many farm animals. She was blessed with an artistic ability and was a gifted painter - many have been the recipients of her artwork. Laurel loved music, singing , dancing and traveling and experiencing new places. She and Dale took many pleasurable trips and she and Duaine enjoyed wintering in Texas with other snowbirds. She loved her family dearly and was a loving and devoted mother and a grandmother who adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Laurel was always ready to share a smile and her sense of humor which made it enjoyable to be in her presence. She will be lovingly remembered by all who knew her. Click to view Laurel's memorial video. SERVICES Visitation Saturday, June 18, 2016 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Adams Funeral Chapel 2330 SHAWNEE DR CHARLESTON, Illinois 61920 Funeral Service Saturday, June 18, 2016 1:00 PM Adams Funeral Chapel 2330 SHAWNEE DR CHARLESTON, Illinois 61920
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