Pauline Ceola (Hawkins) Swearengin

Pauline Ceola (Hawkins) Swearengin was born April 30, 1937, in Crossroads, Missouri. She was born to Earl and Muzie (Goin) Hawkins. She grew up in a small community south of Ava, Missouri. Pauline met and married the love of her life, Orville Eugene Swearengin, April 9, 1955. They shared sixty-nine years of lasting memories together before his passing April 22, 2024. Pauline and Orville were blessed with five children. She admired her family and loved spending time with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Pauline was a very frugal, hard-working wife and mother. As a young woman she farmed, gardened, and canned food, and handmade most all her children’s clothes. Pauline spent her working career as a seamstress in the garment factories. In 1968, Pauline lost her son at the young age of seven years old. She remained faithful to her Heavenly Father and praised Him for the strength to carry on. She raised her children with love and grace and taught them to always put God first in their lives. Pauline lost her second son in 2013 and still praised God for the fifty-seven years he was in her life. She had strong faith in her Lord and always said He will get us through. Pauline was a faithful member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Salem for over fifty years. She is with her heavenly father today because she believed and trusted him. Pauline entered eternal rest on July 27, 2024, in Salem, Missouri, at the age of eighty-seven years. She left behind to carry on her legacy, her loving daughters: Beulah Chilton of Salem, MO, Karen Hogan and husband David of Salem, MO, and Pamela Todd and husband Jack of Salem, MO; twelve grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren; sister: Marie Schuenemann of Ozark, MO; brother: Jerry Hawkins and wife Janice of Ava, MO; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends. Preceding her in death were her loving husband of sixty-nine years: Orville Swearengin; sons: Douglas Swearengin and Dallas Swearengin; parents: Earl and Muzie Hawkins; brother-in-law: Harold Schuenemann; sons-in-law: Rick McDaniel and Gary Chilton; and granddaughter: Chelsea Nickles. Pauline will be remembered for her kind spirit and the lasting impact she had on those around her. She will be forever missed by those who loved her most. Funeral Services for Pauline Swearengin were held Friday, August 2, 2024, in the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel with Pastor Larry Nash and Pastor Bill Stack officiating. Special Music was provided by Sheri Stack singing “Lead Me Home”, “I Saw The Master This Morning”, “In The Garden”, and “Gone”. Serving as Pallbearers were Jack Todd, David Hogan, Tommy McDaniel, Derrick Medley, Larry Chilton, and Ronnie “Bub” Terrill. Honorary Pallbearers were Marshall Neely, Jerry Steelman, Will Land, Chris Yeargan, Kyle Wofford, Hunter Yeargan, John Mitchell, Carter Chilton, and Hans Zarins. Burial was in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Wilson Mortuary of Salem, Missouri. Memorial Contributions may be made in memory of Pauline Swearengin to Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church and left with Wilson Mortuary. Memorial Envelopes will be available. Online Condolences may be entered at www.wilsonmortuary.com

Pauline Ceola (Hawkins) Swearengin

April 30, 1937 - July 27, 2024