Katherine Sue Swearengin, of Sparta, Missouri, passed from this earthly life on Wednesday evening June 17, 2026, at Cox Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. Katherine was born to Warren and Carnie Yeary in Ozark County near the area of Hammond, Missouri on April 26, 1943. Around the time she was starting elementary school, the family moved to Sparta, Missouri. While in her teens, living in Sparta, Katherine met James Swearengin and the two were united in marriage on December 19, 1959, and remained faithfully married until James untimely passing on April 10, 2024. Katherine and James had four children: Robert, Roger, Tina, and Christy.

Katherine’s main occupation was being a loving and supportive wife and mother. She had a few jobs throughout the years outside the home but was most known for taking care of what seemed like half the kids in the Sparta area. There was always a house full kids and Katherine truly loved them all. She was natural problem solver whether it was repairing something or making things she wanted or needed. She studied the situation and solved the task at hand. That skill was inherited by all children.

Katherine was like her husband James, you never saw either one sitting down for too long. There was always something to be done, especially in their younger years, while raising a family and taking care of a small farm. She made sure she did more than her part in helping her husband.

Katherine loved to travel and go places even if it was just a day trip. Some of the places she traveled to were Colorado, Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Florida, the East Coast, and other various states when taking her kids to participate in sports or watching grandkid’s sporting events. She really enjoyed local day trips with her good friends and was always ready to do so at a moment’s notice.

Katherine made friends easily because of her outgoing nature. The old saying of “never a stranger” was Katherine. She loved to visit and talk with others and enjoyed the company of others immensely. Her greatest joy was her family, especially her grandkids and great-granddaughters.

Katherine loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and often talked to others about His teachings and the Bible. She was a soldier of God and shared His message when she saw an opportunity. She was always grateful to Gene Gardener for baptizing her and James into the fold of Jesus Christ.

Katherine Sue Swearengin was preceded in death by her father and mother, Warren and Carnie Yeary; brother, Warren Junior Yeary; her husband, James Swearengin; son, Roger Swearengin; and an unborn infant, along with many friends and dear family members. She is survived by her son, Robert; adopted son, Kenny Lee Heriford; daughter and husband, Tina and Randy Workizer; daughter and husband, Christy and Matt Barb; grandkids: Anna Swearengin, Megan Workizer, Davin Workizer, Ally Barb, and Chandler Barb, and great-granddaughters, Finley June Rubrecht and Oakley Mae Micham.

A visitation for Katherine will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, from 1:00-2:00 pm, at Greenlawn Funeral Home and Life Tribute Center in Ozark, Missouri. A funeral service will follow the visitation at 2:00 pm. Following the service, Katherine will be laid to rest next to her husband, James, at the Sparta Cemetery in Sparta, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Katherine’s memory to the Fair Haven Children’s Home in Strafford, Missouri (3132 N Fairhaven Loop, Strafford, MO 65757 417-862-6675)

Arrangements have been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home and Life Tribute Center in Ozark, Missouri.