Martha Anne Swauger

Martha was born on June 30, 1923 in San Diego, CA to William E. and Grace Genevieve Phillips. She was raised and attended schools in Needles, CA. She married Jack Dean Swauger in Las Vegas, Nevada. They had 3 children, John Edward, Melody Ann and Heidi Adele. The family followed Jack along the "Santa Fe Trail" from Barstow, CA to Albuquerque, NM to LaJunta, CO to Kansas City, KS, finally stopping in Amarillo in 1963. Martha was skilled in most needle arts, and following Jack's death she did custom needlepoint for Pettipoint Junction. She loved to travel and see the countryside, and was greatly disappointed when her trip to Alaska last month was cancelled. Until her sight was gone, she loved reading and doing crossword puzzles. Martha's greatest passion was cards-she loved all card games. She played various games multiple times a week. One month prior to her death, the last time she played bridge at the Senior Citizens, she bid and made a grand slam. She was so proud of that. She is survived by her son, Jack and wife Charlene of Rio Rancho, NM; 2 daughters, Melody of Amarillo and Heidi Hardin of Watauga, TX; 2 granddaughters, Judith Swauger Leckie and husband Scott of Gilbert, AZ and Tracy Swauger-Seckler and husband Quint of Albuquerque; 4 great grandchildren, Jordan and Shannon Leckie of Gilbert, AZ, Megan and Madison Seckler of Albuquerque and her best friend really since forever, since they were 5, Barbara Reynierson of Danville, KY. Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Swauger in 1971; her mother in 1965; her father in 1993; her brother, Edward S. Phillips in 2004; her sister, Mary E. Hessom in 2011 and a great grandson, Nathan Seckler in 1998. The family would like to thank Dr. Mark Aredondo and Dr. Suresh Neelagaru for the gift of quality life years they gave her. They would also like to thank her many friends who drove her to various card games and especially to Larry Brooks who went above and beyond for a hair stylist. And finally to the staff on the north wing of the Heritage Skilled Nursing and Rehab Facility who treated her with such love and respect in the final days of her life.

Visitation Schedule

Cox Funeral Home 4180 Canyon Drive Amarillo, TX 79109 Sunday, July 20, 2014 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Service Schedule

Chapel Cox Funeral Home 4180 Canyon Drive Amarillo, TX 79109 Monday, July 21, 2014 2:00 p.m.

Memorial Contributions

The Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children Dallas, TX Cal Farley's Boy's Ranch Amarillo, TX Amarillo Senior Citizen's Center Amarillo, TX