88S20177 BPG-D

By: Price H.R. No. 7

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the passing of Joyce McCoy Swinford of Dumas on June 21, 2023, at the age of 79; and

WHEREAS, The daughter of Milas and Mary Ann McCoy, the former Joyce McCoy was born in American Fork, Utah, on September 27, 1943, and spent most of her childhood in New Mexico; her family moved to Lubbock just before her senior year, and she graduated from Monterey High School; as a student at Texas Tech University, she met the love of her life, David Swinford, and they married on June 19, 1964; the couple settled in Dumas and welcomed a son, David Christopher, in 1965, and a daughter, Melissa Rae, two years later; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Swinford devoted herself happily to her home and family for several years while her children were small; later, she taught kindergarten part-time at First Street Church of Christ, and she eventually became a bookkeeper for the family business, Moore County Grain; along the way, she was very involved in her children's activities, and she traveled extensively to help them with their 4-H and FFA livestock; she also volunteered with the Community Concerts program, and in her free time, she enjoyed singing and playing the piano; and

WHEREAS, When Mr. Swinford ran for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives, Mrs. Swinford campaigned for him enthusiastically, driving countless miles to participate in parades and various functions; following his election in 1990, she supported his work wholeheartedly and became active in the Legislative Ladies Club, which she served as president from 2001 to 2003; many friends and family members visited the Swinfords in Austin, and she graciously showed them around the city and the Capitol; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Swinford was a member of the 2007 Leadership Texas cohort, and she took part in Business & Professional Women's Club activities in the Panhandle; a woman of faith, she was a valued congregant of Sunray Church of Christ, where she served in myriad capacities, including teaching children's Bible classes and assisting with Monday Night for the Master and the women's ministry; she hosted numerous showers, small groups, and other gatherings in her home as well; and

WHEREAS, Above all, Mrs. Swinford was dedicated to her family; she enjoyed making holidays and other get-togethers extra special, and she made sure her four grandsons had wonderful memories of their visits to Granny and Granddad in Austin; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren always brought a smile to her face; she and her husband shared a fulfilling relationship of 58 years until his passing; she was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Christie Marie Bates, as well as her parents, Milas and Mary Ann McCoy, her parents-in-law, Oley and Hazel Swinford, her brothers-in-law, Sammy Alan, Earl, and Jerry, and her sister-in-law, Pat; and

WHEREAS, Although Joyce Swinford will be deeply missed, those who held her dear will forever remember the warmth and kindness she brought into their lives; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of Joyce McCoy Swinford and extend sincere condolences to the members of her family: to her son, Chris Swinford, and his wife, Brenda; to her daughter, Melissa Bates, and her husband, Rob; to her grandsons, Daniel Swinford, Alan Swinford and his wife, Haylee, Phillip Bates and his wife, Alayna, and William Bates and his wife, Isabel; to her great-grandchildren, Gavin, Kieran, Josiah, Adelyn, and Ellie; to her brother, David McCoy; to her sisters-in-law, Sylvia Swinford and Jimmie Swinford; and to her many other relatives and friends; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Joyce McCoy Swinford.