Obituary of Betty Grace Swinney

Heaven became sweeter when Betty Grace Swinney, 61 of Arp, went to be with the Lord on June 11, 2012. Services for Betty are scheduled for 11:00 am, Thursday, June 14 at the Southpoint Church of God, Whitehouse with Bishop Gaylon Taylor and Reverend Charles Wilson officiating. Burial will be in the Mason Cemetery, Arp under the direction of Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home, Overton. She had many battles with her health in recent years, but fought the good fight and kept her faith through the end. Her favorite scripture she quoted often through her sickness was Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." In recent hospital stays, she kept the Doctors and Nurses on their toes with her sense of humor and proclamation of faith. Betty was born August 28, 1950, to Frank and Juanita Carpenter Martin. On December 3, 1983, she married the love of her life, Roger Glenn Swinney of Arp. Four years later, they had a precious baby girl, Sheila. Betty was a loving mother, wife, sister, aunt and friend. She was a member of Southpoint Church of God in Whitehouse, where she and her husband Roger, taught the Primary Sunday School Class for many years. After graduating from Arp High School, she attended Tyler Junior College and the University of Texas at Austin, receiving her Bachelor's Degree in Education. She taught elementary in the San Antonio ISD for several years and then returned to teach at Arp ISD for most of her career. Betty went on to receive her Master's Degree and after pouring her heart into her students and classroom, she retired. She was preceded in death by her father, Frank Martin, Sr. and brothers, Frank Martin, Jr. and Charles Martin. Betty Grace is survived by her husband of 28 years, Roger Swinney of Arp; a daughter, Sheila Swinney of Arp; her mother, Juanita Martin of Kilgore; a brother and sister-in-law, Tommy and Delia Martin of Midland; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Anna and Bill Clary of Turnertown and Neita and Bill Ward of Las Vegas, New Mexico; and several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Robert Clary, Marv Harman, Marvin Harman, Duane Swinney, Scott McAuley and Andrew Palmer. Honorary Pallbearers will be Harry Stainback and R.B. Glasscock. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, Wednesday, June 13.