Terry Swearingen

Terry Renee Swearingen, 69, lifelong Seminole, Oklahoma resident, passed from this life on Thursday, April 7, 2022 at her home in Seminole surrounded by her family. Terry was born July 27, 1952 in Seminole, Oklahoma to Billy Ray “Bill” Weems and Connie Lou (Conner) Weems. Terry attended Wilson Elementary and Seminole High School where she graduated in 1970. Terry furthered her education at Seminole Junior College and graduated in 1972 with an associate’s degree and entered the education program at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma where she graduated and received her Master of Education in 1974. Terry began her teaching career in the fall of 1974 teaching 7th grade at Shawnee Middle School in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and in the Fall of 1975, she began her career at Wilson Elementary School in Seminole teaching 2nd Grade for 46 years, she retired from Seminole Public Schools in 2021. She had taught many children and their children over the years and her love for her students and the impact she made on their lives, continues today. Terry was a longtime member of the Seminole Church of Christ. Terry was also co-owner with her husband in Swearingen Funeral Home. She played a major part in the creation and decorating of their new funeral home facility and helped with day to day operations.

Terry and Bob started their journey together in the spring of 1974 while both still in college, their love for each other grew and she married Bob on March 29, 1975 in Seminole, Oklahoma. They just recently got to enjoy their 47th wedding anniversary together.

Terry had so many interests in her life, her main one was her husband, which she loved with all her heart and her children and family. If anyone knew her, she loved doing things for other people without any recognition or wanting anything in return. Her love for her family and friends was evident in the way she treated them and the many lovely cards and gifts she gave to each. She loved giving, making people happy, making them laugh, eating out weekly with her teaching buddies, Tammy, Angie and Sonia, playing Bunco and Left, Right, Center games. She loved wearing her signature headbands, which one of her young students referred to as her “crown”. She loved clothes and jewelry, shopping, after a long day of shopping she would always make sure to bring Bob home some dinner and make sure he was taken care of first. She had an undying love and loyalty to Bob and her love was true and pure, they were each other’s best friend and soul mates for life.

Terry loved decorating, and decorated for all major holidays. She loved giving to others, especially her family. She loved all kinds of music and going to concerts. She loved movies, being with her family on special occasions and just anytime, hosting dinners, parties, showers and other events. She especially loved traveling with their longtime friends Debbie and Dennis Phillips, they went everywhere together. In the past year before she became too ill, they went away every other weekend to make sure she got to go as much as possible in her final days.

Terry leaves us to cherish memories, her loving husband of 47 years, Bob Swearingen of the home, her daughter and son-in law; Sassy and Chris Lindley of Seminole, her son and daughter-in-law Beau and Lori Swearingen of Seminole, her four grandchildren whom she loved very much, Presli Swearingen, Crewe Lindley, Brody Swearingen and Swae Lindley, she is also survived by her sister, Sheila Parks of Seminole, sister-in-law and brother-in law, Janet and Larry Waddell of Seminole, her very close cousin Timmie Myers of Poteau, Oklahoma, her aunts, Glenda Conner and Pama Nowlin of Seminole and several nieces, nephews and cousins, and dear friends whom she loved very much.

Terry was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Connie Weems, her brother Rocky Weems, her grandparents Jelly and Mamie Conner, her uncle Ronnie Conner, her aunt Donna Lee and several cousins.

The family will welcome friends Tuesday evening, April 12, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel.

A celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at the Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole, Oklahoma, with Arpoika Daniels officiating at the service. Entombment will follow at the Prayer Mausoleum at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens, east of Seminole.

Casket bearers will be her family; Ricky Conner, Trace Conner, Derek Henley, Damon Henley, Jade Parks, Kash Parks, Chris Lindley, Larry Waddell, Chris Waddell, Jason Quintero, Dennis Phillips and Danny Myers.

In lieu of flowers Terry would want you to make contributions to the Seminole State College Education Foundation, Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum or any organization that would allow a child to receive a good education.

Arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.