Martha Bell Swanson
January 29, 1947 ~ February 9, 2024
Martha Bell Swanson, age 77, of Denson Springs, Texas, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, the 9th day of February 2024, at Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, Texas. Mrs. Swanson "Sis" was born on the 29th day of January 1947 alongside her twin brother Donald "Bud" Brewer, in Mena, Arkansas, to parents Lillian Elmer Brewer and Edith Mae McKinzey.
Mrs. Swanson's passion for the natural world was evident in her love for gardens and flowers. Her hands, always tender with the earth, cultivated not just plants but also the hearts of those she met. An avid outdoorswoman, she enjoyed hunting and fishing. Her competitive spirit shone brightly during lively evenings spent playing cards and board games, where she was a formidable opponent and a gracious victor.
As one of fifteen siblings, Martha developed a profound sense of family and community early on. Her friendly demeanor was a beacon of light to all who knew her, and her selfless nature was evident in every aspect of her life. Mrs. Swanson's love for crochet was not just a hobby but a way of weaving warmth and love into the fabric of her family and friends' lives. She was a cherished member of the Muse Missionary Baptist Church, where she found great joy and solace in the fellowship and the sweet voices of children singing hymns.
Among her most treasured roles were those of a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother. She cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, imparting wisdom, laughter, and memories that will be held dear for generations to come.
She joins her parents, Lillian and Edith Brewer; and twelve brothers, Donald Brewer, Johnny Brewer, Jack Brewer, David Brewer, Sammy Brewer, Douglas Brewer, Leo Brewer, Joe Brewer, Ricky Brewer, Jimmy Brewer, Alvin Brewer, and Freddy Brewer in Heaven.
Martha created a home filled with love and kindness, where laughter was shared. She leaves behind her loving husband Fred Swanson of 59 years to carry her memory forward. Her daughters, Marsha Ann Swanson Jones and husband Eddie, Michele "Shelli" Mengel and husband Phil Lane, and Robin Nave, along with her son, Johnny Swanson were the center of her world. She also leaves behind her sisters, Lily May Sanders, Betty Lou May, twenty-grandchildren, twelve-great grandchildren, and five-great-great grandchildren. She instilled in them the values of generosity and compassion that she lived by every day.
Friends are invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock until seven o'clock in the evening on Monday, the 12th day of February 2024 at Rhone Funeral Home.
Graveside services to celebrate Martha Swanson's life are to be conducted at ten o'clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 13th day of February 2024, at Denson Springs Cemetery. Bro. Jesse Moore will be officiating the service.
Honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons.
Graveside services for Martha Bell Swanson are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas.
Fond memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared with her family electronically by selecting the "Share a Memory" icon.
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I loved Martha and will miss her sweet smile and hug she gave us each Sunday. She was a joy to be around and will be missed at Muse Church. We love yall and will be praying for all of you.
The entire family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Martha was such a loving woman. She was my ‘other’ mother. Many nights were spent with Shelli and her family. I know her kids d heart and fabulous cooking will be greatly missed.
OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO ALL…..MARTHA WAS A VERY GOOD LADY AND WILL BE MISSED BY ALL.WE ALL HAD GREAT AND FUN TIMES FISHING ON THE RIVER AND HUNTING ON THE DEER LEASE…SHE WILL HOLD A PLACE IN ALL OF OUR HEARTS FOR SURE………EBEN
March 9th, is the one month anniversary of my Momma moving to Heaven. She was one amazing woman. She taught me so much and insisted I did what I should. When I was younger, I did as all teenagers/young adults do and pushed my bounderies. I resented her rules, limitations, and that she made me do “all the stuff”. I learned more from her than any other person I have ever known. She loved me through every mistake, and was proud of the woman I am today. I’ve just begun to realize all the ways I am like her, and it fills me with pride to know that she lives on through me. She taught me to cook, sew, garden, and never told me that anything was impossible. She told me if I wanted to do something, then do it. I love you Momma.
She could walk into her kitchen and make a pie crust and the pie filling from scratch with no recipe, and without measuring any thing. Everything she cooked was from scratch, and she cooked 3 meals a day, until the last couple of years. She could whip up a meal that made you want thirds, with whatever she had on hand. And you never left her table hungry. There’s was always leftovers, she wanted everyone to get their fill
She could go out and kill a deer, dress it, process it, and cook it to perfection. She cooked the best fish you ever tasted
She worked alongside my Daddy every day in whatever he was doing, whether it be building a fence or working on a car. She could rebuild an engine as good as any mechanic.
She worked every day of her life.
She was a no-nonsence woman and always tried to do what was right. She stood up for what she believed in and would speak her mind when something needed to be settled.
She crocheted beautiful blankets for family and close friends, until her hands just wouldn’t let her do it any more.
She grew her own garden every year until she walked into Heaven. A garden that fed many and made her a little extra spending change.
She could hear a baby cry and tell you exactly what that baby needed, if it had a tummy ache, was hungry, needed to burp, or just needed to be held.
She could look at a pregnant woman, ask a couple of questions and tell her if she was carrying a girl or a boy, and was never wrong.
She battled times of sadness, but never told others, and she did her best to bring smiles and joy to others.
She loved the simple things in life, she had a love for life that most never find, she loved snapping beans, shelling peas, playing board games, cards and dice games every chance she got, having her family around her was her favorite thing to do, she raised every orphaned baby animal they found, among which was 4 skunks until they began smelling HaHa, a bobcat, 3 or 4 baby deer, numerous puppies, and others I’m sure I can’t recall.
She grew up with 12 brothers and 2 sisters, she loved her family and only wanted love in return. She took every opportunity she had to make the trip to Arkansas to see the family she loved with excitement.. She tearfully returned for every illness and funeral for one last goodbye. She knew what it was to do without, and made sure her girls never had to know what that was like. She never gave us everything we wanted but we had all that we needed with a few luxuries along the way.
She lived a simple life, did not care about riches or appearances, and would share everything she had no matter how little it may have been with anyone who needed it. She was at times talked about, judged, and belittled by the very ones she defended and helped, because she didn’t live a certain way. She still gave freely and lovingly. She lived and she loved.
When she found salvation, she was so excited, and so proud of her decision, she loved Jesus and was so thankful that he pulled her from where she was. She read her Bible and tried to live as it lead her to do. Momma loved her church and her church family and rarely ever missed. She bragged on how great all the members were and how well they treated her, and she loved them too. It was her happy place.
I miss her and will try to make her proud for the rest of my days. I love you so much Momma. Marsha Ann