Marilyn Joyce Swagger

Marilyn Joyce Norris Swagger, age 80, passed away January 18, 2016. She was a member of Washington Pike Presbyterian Church. She was born in Effingham, Il and a graduate of Cisne High School class of 1953. She was military wife, and an interior decorator. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Preceded in death by parents, Oscar and Mildred Norris, step-father, Perry Hargrave of Cisne, Il., brothers, Robert and James Norris, sisters, Dorothy Amacher and Shirley Ozier. Survivors, husband of 62 years, Richard Swagger, Sr., children, Sherry Lynn Schmidt of Hendersonville, N.C., Richard Swagger, Jr. of Knoxville, Tn., Jeff Swagger of Mesa, Az. and Shawn Wise of Knoxville, Tn., grandchildren, Kelly Davenport of Etowah, N.C., Cody Swagger of Athens, Ga., Kayla Swagger, Knoxville, Tn., Weston Wise of Copper Mountain, Co., Brandy Swagger of Mesa, Az., Evan Wise of Knoxville, Tn., step-grandchildren, Brianna Miller and Keith Miller of Mesa, Az. and Jennifer England of Athens, Ga., great grandchildren, Hunter Davenport of Etowah, N.C., Hayley Davenport of Etowah, N.C. and Mason Ricker of Knoxville, Tn., several nieces and nephews. Funeral service 7 pm Sunday January 31, 2016, Mynatt Funeral Home Fountain City Chapel. Family and friends will meet 2:15 pm Monday February 1, 2016 at Washington Park Presbyterian Cemetery on Washington Pike for interment at 2:30. Family will receive friends 5 to 7 pm Sunday January 31, 2016 at Mynatt Funeral Home Fountain City Chapel.A Look at Marilyn Joyce Swagger's Life.She was born Marilyn Joyce Norris on April 9, 1935 in Effingham, Illinois. When she was ten years old Marilyn moved with her family to Cisne, Illinois and graduated from Cisne High School in 1953. On September 8, 1953, she married Richard Gene Swagger at her home in Cisne. They moved to Northern Illinois and lived in Batavia, Aurora, and Joliet. Marilyn gave birth to her first daughter, Sherry Lynn, December 8, 1954 in Joliet. In June 1957, Richard joined the United States Army. During her 20 years as an Army Wife, Marilyn traveled and lived in many different places. They were in Hawaii for three years during which time she gave birth to their son, Richard Gene, Jr., October 30, 1958 and Jeffery Len, February 17, 1960. The family then went to Fort Hood, Texas for five years, Sandia Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and then on to the Island of Guam for two years. The birth of their second daughter, Shawn Leanne, came on August 23, 1967 while the family was stationed at Fort McPherson in Atlanta, Georgia. Marilyn spent a year in Mattoon, Illinois as a stay behind wife and mother while Richard was stationed in Turkey for a one year tour of duty. Next the family went to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas for two years, and on to the Illinois Army Depot in Savanna, Illinois for four years. Richard then served as an advisor to the Army Reserve Unit in Springfield, Illinois where they spent two and a half years. Upon Richard's retirement from the Army, they decided to move to Knoxville, Tennessee where they bought a home on Washington Pike that they still own today. After a few years Marilyn went to work as a Home Interiors and Gift Displayer and Sales Representative which she did for the next 15 years, until the company went out of business. At that time she retired to being a loving wife, mother, and homemaker. Marilyn was a very sweet person and had many friends. She had three great loves during her lifetime: Her family, her home, and Home Interiors. She also loved to travel. She had the opportunity to visit many places through her work with Home Interiors. In her later life travel took her on two Caribbean Cruises, three times to the Bahamas, and once to Cancun, Mexico. Marilyn also liked to shop and had a hobby of collecting statuettes, mostly from Home Interiors but from lots of other places as well. She had a great love and affection for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She called them all "Her Kids". She is greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.