Obituary for Alice Swaite
Funeral services for Alice Swaite, 79, of Fort Coffee is 10:30 a.m. Friday at Mt. Triumph Baptist Church in Fort Coffee with burial to follow at 1 p.m. in the National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home of Spiro.
Alice was born March 2, 1945. She was adopted and raised in Killeen, Texas. During her teen years, she moved to Kansas City and attended Westport High School in Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated June 7, 1963. Alice graduated from National College in Kansas City in 1993.
In 1967, Alice met the love of her life, Billy Ray Swaite, at the establishment she owned in Kansas City. He was a soldier on his way to Vietnam. After his tour in Vietnam ended in 1969, Billy returned to Kansas City and pursued Alice. On Dec. 29, 1978, Alice and Billy married in Kansas City. She embraced being a wife with determination. In their 45-year marriage, Alice became the ultimate Proverbs 31 wife to Billy. Alice was honored to be among the first African American female drivers for Greyhound Bus Lines. She received her driving certificate of training on June 8, 1977, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She worked for Greyhound for 12 years. Alice enjoyed gardening, reading, traveling, working on genealogy, and her Kansas City Chiefs. However, her favorite pastime was arguing with and calling Billy’s name. The two “argued” with humor and love.
Alice loved God and knew that Jesus Christ was her Savior. She was a member of Fort Coffee Church of God in Christ until her health failed her. She was a wife, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt, and dear friend. In 2015, Alice learned that her daughter, whom she believed was stillborn, was indeed alive and well. In a few days, Alice learned she was a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. In the following years, Alice and Theresa worked towards building a strong relationship.
Alice leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 45 years, Billy Ray Swaite, of the home; her daughter, Theresa Anderson, of Killeen, Texas; grandson Damien Anderson of Killeen; great-granddaughter Aaliyah Dae Anderson of Killeen; three brothers-in-law Edgar (Yonetta) Swait of Rowlett, Texas; Quincy (Carolyn) Swait, of Chicago, Illinois; Bruce (Gladys deceased) Ruffin of Denver, Cclorado; five sisters-in-law, Billie Sue (Charles deceased), Willard of Midwest City, Kathey (Ronnie) Shocks of Midwest City, Brenda Swait of Midwest City, Carol (Chester) Hartgraves of Spiro, and Althea (Daniel) McDaniel of Midwest City; one uncle, Douglas (Hazel) Frazier of Fort Smith, Arkansas; her dear cousin, Lois Woods, of Kansas City, Kansas; her good friend Cynthia Kelly of Kansas City, Kansas; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Her adoptive parents and her grandson Courtney Hicks preceded her in death.
Viewing hours are Thursday from noon until 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Pallbearers are Eric Massey Jr., Chris Massey, Napier Gordon, Ronnie Shocks II, Sean Swait, Jamaal Swait and Cedric Haynes. Flower bearers are Sha’Non Shocks, Ronda Shocks, Karla Jackson, Yolanda Whitfield, Monica Whitfield and Sharon Whitfield.
You may leave an online message at www.mallorymartinfuneralhomespiro.com
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