Carole Jean Swearengin, born January 8th, 1935, went to her Heavenly Home on January 29th, 2020. Carole was born in Nichols, Iowa to her parents Roy and Pearl Metcalf Demry. Carole had two siblings, a brother, Jim and a sister, Betty. Carole was extremely close with her family and that closeness grew stronger over the years and would shape the person she would become to her extended family and friends later in life. Carole met the love of her life in James Howard Swearengin and they married on December 16th, 1956. Carole didn't want Howard to ever forget their wedding anniversary, so they were married on Howard's birthday so that he would never forget. Carole and Howard gave their lives to Jesus Christ at a Rogersville camp meeting in 1962. Carole and Howard were devout in their faith and were members of the Church of God Holiness, which Howard Pastored in Fordland, Ava, and Stockton. Out of this faith-filled marriage was born a beautiful daughter, Cari Lea, on October 29th, 1963. The family would grow to include 3 Grandkids, 7 Great Grandkids, and countless Nieces and Nephews, which Carole absolutely adored and spent her life caring for and bragging about.
Carole spent 33 years working for Consumer's grocery store in Springfield Missouri and loved her job. She was a favorite among the customers, many of which would specifically wait to only be served by her. When not working, Carole loved to cook and she was AMAZING at it! She especially took great joy in cooking for her family. When she wasn't cooking, she loved watching cooking shows on Food Network. She was also an avid Weather Channel watcher and would ensure that she made everyone aware of any weather related situation that would arise, even if she was in Florida and we were all here in Missouri. Carole also shared a very special Birthday with one Elvis Presley. She was very proud to share the exact same birthday, year and all, with such an icon. Carole and Howard also loved traveling. They made 3 trips to Hawaii, which Carole absolutely loved and would talk about for years afterwards. They also took a very special trip to the Holy Land, which she would always speak about with such reverence. They were Snow Birds and had a house in Silver Springs, Florida, which they would visit each winter. While in Florida, Carole and Howard loved to host family and friends, and would take them to all of their favorite spots. Carole's Grandchildren were the light of her life. If you were around her for any length of time you would know this, because she had countless stories that she would tell over and over so you knew just how special they were to her. Throughout Carole's life the journey was not always easy. Carole struggled with her health over the years, however, she beat Breast Cancer and through prayer and her relationship with Jesus Christ, she fought to beat every health issue she encountered until the very end.
Carole is preceded in death by her father, Roy Demry, mother, Pearl Metcalf Demry, brother, Jim Demry and wife Shirley, father-in-law Albert Swearengin, mother-in-law, Ruby Dalton Swearengin, brothers-in-law, Clifford Swearengin, Virgil Swearengin, and Gene Watson, and sisters-in-law, Bonnie Swearengin and Alberta Watson. Carole is survived by her husband of 64 years, James Howard Swearengin of Springfield, sister Betty Routh and husband Jim of Springfield, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Carlene Swearengin of Kansas, Mary Swearengin of Rogersville, Darrell Swearengin of Rogersville, Bill and Faye Swearengin of Nixa, and Freddie and Bobbi Swearengin of Springfield, her daughter Cari Asby and husband Keith of Ozark, 3 Grandchildren: Chris Asby and wife Ashley of Bolivar, Clint Asby and wife Bethany of Bolivar, and Carissa Estes and husband Cody of Ozark, 7 Great Grandchildren: Klayton Asby, Landen Estes, Aiden Asby, Ellsie Estes, Caitlin Asby, Roan Asby, and Emmy Asby, as well as many Nieces, Nephews, and Friends.
Carole was a treasure to this world and will be missed by us all. However, we would not wish her back, as she is now in her perfect body in her Heavenly Home rejoicing with the Lord and family and friends that have gone on before. Her wish to us all would be that she would see us again, and oh what a day of rejoicing that will be.
Services will be held at Greenlawn Funeral Home East, Springfield. Visitation is from 6-8pm Monday, February 3rd. Funeral service will be at 11am Tuesday, February 4th. Burial service will be at 1pm Tuesday, February 4th at Springfield Veteran's Cemetery. Darrell Swearengin and Gary Swearengin officiating. Pallbearers will be: Steve Swearengin, Tim Swearengin, Jerry Kolb, Jeremy Kolb, Zach Kolb, and Isaac Swearengin.