Vera Evelyn Mathis Swearingen, age 92, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on October 16, 2013.
She was born Mar 24, 1921 in Jennings, FL, after marriage to Fred Swearingen Jr, she lived in Jacksonville, FL for 29 years.
She was active in Springhill Advent Christian Church, serving as a youth leader, kindergarten Sunday School Teacher, sang in the choir, and was a member of Womens Home and Foreign Mission Society.
She operated a U.S. Postal contract station in Jacksonville for 8 years, before moving to Gainesville area in 1965. She retired from Belks in Gainesville after 23 years of service. She was the Returns Department Manager.
Vera has been a faithful member of Harvest Christian Church in Gainesville, FL since 1988. She was a choir member for several years, assisted with Vacation Bible School, and was a member of a home bible study group.
She loved the Lord, family and friends deeply. She also loved reading, music, sending greeting cards to family members and friends and loved to garden.
She self taught herself to play the family’s old style pump organ while growing up.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Swearingen Jr., in 1987.
She is survived by her son, Leonard Swearingen (Ernestine), of Louisburg, NC She has 3 grandchildren, Tammy Campbell (Jimmy) of Jacksonville, FL, Fred Swearingen (Caroline) of Louisburg, NC and Donald Swearingen of Louisburg, NC, 3 great-grandhildren, Katie, Anna, and Preston, of Louisburg, NC.
Family will receive friends on Sunday, October 20, 2013 from 2:00 -4:00 p.m. at Forest Meadows Funeral Home, 725 N.W. 23rd Ave., Gainesville.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, October 21, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. at Harvest Christian Church, 4820 N.W. 34th St., Gainesville.
Burial will follow at Forest Meadows Memorial Park, Central immediately following the service.
In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Harvest Christian Church 4820 N.W. 34th St.
The family wishes to express their love and appreciation to the nursing staff at North Florida Regional Hospital, who cared for Vera with deep compassion.
