As written by Janis: Janis Loucille Swearengin Preston, of Sparta, Missouri, passed away on August 12, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Janis was the daughter of Murlin and Ida (Yates) Swearengin. She was born on May 21, 1948, at Hagewood Hospital in Ozark, Missouri. She was the baby of eight siblings. She and Arthur “Bill” Preston were married on AugustContinue Reading
Tribute Video
As written by Janis:
Janis Loucille Swearengin Preston, of Sparta, Missouri, passed away on August 12, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Janis was the daughter of Murlin and Ida (Yates) Swearengin. She was born on May 21, 1948, at Hagewood Hospital in Ozark, Missouri. She was the baby of eight siblings. She and Arthur “Bill” Preston were married on August 17, 1973, in Miami, Oklahoma. She often told the story of how they drove to Miami, changed clothes from their shorts at a gas station, got married, and drove back to Branson.
She is survived by her husband Bill, Jason, and Craig, “the loves of her life”; a brother, Dean and his wife Dorotha; sister, Peggy Grimes and her husband Jess; and sister, Joan Workman. Some of her fondest memories include how Betty would make you wash every dish in the cabinet if she found one speck on a plate and when Tommy brought back a doll for her when he was in the service. She also had precious memories of her long talks about life with Jimmy; Peg taking care of her boys and Jess fixing fried poke. She often reflected on the times Joan was her cleaning pal and how she couldn’t have done life without her. Dwight was always her protector, and of Dean, she would always say, “Oh how I loved you even though when we were young all we did was fight.” Dean taught Janis how to drive and always made her do the shifting on the Glen Painter Hill in the old flatbed truck.
Janis liked to garden, mow her yard, paint, sew, and plant flowers, even on the pond bank. She will be remembered as a loving homemaker who was deeply devoted to her family. She will also be remembered for her many quirky sayings.
In her own words, Janis said, “So yes, I was the baby of the family and always liked to be called that. Life has been good. Bill has made sure that I always got what I wanted.”
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Janis’s memory to Dogwood Cemetery Association, Inc. “Endowment Fund.”
Arrangements are under the compassionate direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home and Life Tribute Center in Ozark, Missouri.
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Thank you for leaving a condolence..
Your comment has been submitted for moderation.
