|
|
|
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 Mae Bright Swearingen of Nacogdoches on |
|
December 25, 2022, at the age of 98; and |
|
WHEREAS, The daughter of George Novel and Dovie Mae Bright, |
|
the former Joyce Bright was born in Nacogdoches on February 4, 1924, |
|
and she grew up with the companionship of two brothers, N. G. and |
|
Charles; she attended Nacogdoches High School, and in 1943, she |
|
graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University, where she met |
|
the love of her life, James Douglas Swearingen; the couple |
|
exchanged wedding vows on January 10, 1946, one month after he |
|
returned home from World War II, and they went on to share nearly |
|
seven decades of marriage before his passing in 2012; and |
|
WHEREAS, In the late 1940s, Mrs. Swearingen embarked on a |
|
long and rewarding career managing Swearingen Office Equipment and |
|
Nacogdoches Credit Bureau alongside her husband; following the sale |
|
of the credit bureau in 1969, she began working at the Fredonia |
|
State Bank and would eventually retire as vice president, the first |
|
woman in the bank's history to hold the position; active in her |
|
professional community, she joined the East Texas Group of the |
|
National Association of Bank Women and was later inducted into the |
|
association's hall of fame for her work in finance; and |
|
WHEREAS, A pillar of the Nacogdoches community, |
|
Mrs. Swearingen gave generously of her time and talents to a number |
|
of clubs and civic organizations throughout her life, including |
|
United Way, the newcomer service club, the Fredonia Ladies and |
|
Gents Travel Club, the SFA Foundation, and the Nacogdoches County |
|
Chamber of Commerce, which she served as the first female |
|
president; she was also the founding chairwoman of the Nacogdoches |
|
Heritage Festival; a woman of faith, she was an active congregant of |
|
First Christian Church; and |
|
WHEREAS, Mrs. Swearingen was the devoted mother of 4 |
|
children, Sandra Lou, James Douglas, John Novel, and Janet Kay, and |
|
with the passing years, she had the pleasure of seeing her family |
|
grow to include 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; in her |
|
leisure time, she loved to cook and entertain; and |
|
WHEREAS, Joyce Swearingen lived a life that was rich in |
|
family, friends, and community service, and those who were |
|
privileged to share in her love and affection will forever hold her |
|
close in their hearts; now, therefore, be it |
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
|
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Joyce Mae Bright |
|
Swearingen and extend sincere condolences to all who mourn her |
|
passing; 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 |
|
Swearingen. |
|
|
Clardy |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Speaker of the House |
|
|
I certify that H.R. No. 656 was unanimously adopted by a |
|
rising vote of the House on March 30, 2023. |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Chief Clerk of the House |
|