Lora I. Swinney

Lora I. Swinney, 96, passed away Saturday, September 21, 2024 at Our Hospice in Columbus. She was born near Benham, Indiana on July 1, 1928, the daughter of William H. and Alta I. (Tunks) May. Lora was a 1946 graduate of Cross Plains High School. She married William Adrian Swinney on March 27, 1949. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to a farm near New Marion where they lived and raised their five children. Lora always had a large garden, producing and preserving so the family had an abundant supply of healthy food all year around. She was employed by Reliance Electric Company in Madison and retired from there after 30 years. Lora was a member of the New Marion Baptist Church. After many years of farm living, Lora and Adrian relocated to Versailles in the spring of 1998. Adrian passed away on November 21, 1999 after more than 50 years of marriage. In April of 2019, Lora moved to Autumn Trace, an assisted living facility in North Vernon, Indiana, where she remained until her brief illness. Lora was preceded in death by her spouse, parents, and beloved son Terry K. Swinney. Brothers and sisters – Leroy (Dorothy) May, Russell (Margaret) May, Stanley (Catherine) May, Lila (Don) Ziegler, Evelyn (Bill) Meek, Estol May, and Earl May. She will be missed by her children – Fred (Dianna) Swinney of Madison, Hazel Joan (Bob) Garrison of Eddyville, KY, Carol L. Gill of Greensburg, Jerry W. Swinney of Columbus and daughter-in-law Margie Swinney of Hayden. Sisters-in-law Phyllis May of Cross Plains and Lois May of Texas, 11 grandchildren, 13 great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Lora’s large family was the joy of her life. Her delicious holiday meals were second to none. She was an avid seamstress, sewing school clothes for her daughters and wedding dresses for both. Later on she spent many hours doing word search and jigsaw puzzles and would join in group activities for bingo. Visitation will be on Thursday, September 26, 2024 from 4-7pm at the Stratton Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, September 27, 2024 at 10:30am at the funeral home with Randy Thieman officiating. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens in Madison. Memorials may be given to the Shelby Church Cemetery or New Marion.