James Elijah Swearingen's Obituary
PERRY-
James Elijah Swearingen, 76, passed away on Tuesday, January 8, 2013, after a brief illness. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, January 11, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Watson-Hunt Funeral Home. Interment will be in Perry Memorial Gardens immediately following the service. Visitation will be on Friday, January 11, 2013, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., the hour preceding the funeral service at Watson-Hunt Funeral Home.
Mr. Swearingen, son of the late J. C. and Lois Mullis Swearingen, grew up in Fort Valley and married the love of his life, Martha Nell Barnes, in 1957. They moved to Houston County in 1958, where he spent the remainder of his life. He served four years as a Staff Sargent in the National Guard. Mr. Swearingen retired from TGM13B Missile Support in Civil Service at Robins Air Force Base. He also worked for the Houston County Board of Education for a number of years and was a member of First Baptist Church of Perry. An avid Atlanta Falcons and Georgia Bulldogs fan, he is sure to be cheering from the stands in Heaven. Mr. Swearingen loved the Georgia National Fair and loved people. He never met a stranger. He took special care of his garden where he always had grood crops. For many years, he had a fruit stand. Even after he closed the fruit stand, he continued to travel to Cordele's farmer's market to purchase fruits and vegetables to share with his family and friends. A woodworker, Mr. Swearingen spent many hours making furniture and other small treasures for his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his brother, Donnie Swearingen.
Left to cherish the memories are his loving wife of 55 years, Martha Nell Barnes Swearingen of Perry; his children, Ken Swearingen of Perry, Kaye Seereiter (John) of Kathleen, and Tim Swearingen (Parrish) of Bonaire; his granddaughter, Savannah Seereiter; his grandson, Noah Swearingen; his sisters, Maurice Avera (Paden) and Joanne Bennett (Bob), both of Cordele; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Friends are invited to share a special story or leave condolences with the family in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com.
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