1922~2016
Elsie Laura Chiles was born August 9, 1922 to Samuel and Lenora B. Chiles in Blaine County. As a young girl, she thrived with the love of her parents and 11 siblings. She attended school in Earlsdale. On November 7, 1942 she married the love of her life, Charles W. Swanegan, Jr. to this blessed union 8 children were born.
Being reared in a God-Fearing home, she committed her life to Christ at an early age and was baptized by the late Reverend OJ. Neal. She was a lifelong member of the Union Baptist Church where she worked tirelessly in God's Vineyard serving in many capacities. For years, she was the President of the Senior Choir and the O.J. Neal Mission Circle and proudly served as the Mother of the Church. She was a fervent prayer warrior. One of her family's fondest memories was to hear her sing and pray as she went about her daily task. She was proud to be a Deacon's Wife and dutifully supported her husband in this effort until his death. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Rose of Sharon #39 and the Heroines of Jericho.
Ms. Elsie, as she was lovingly called, spent many years as an employee at Roman Nose State Park. After leaving Roman Nose she worked at Evelyn's Cafe. As a devoted Wife, loving Mother and a doting Grandmother; she loved to cook and was known for her delicious rolls. She was the rock of her family and a true matriarch. She had a heart of gold and a smile that would light up the room'. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, parents, six brothers and two sisters.
She leaves to cherish her memory and to continue her legacy, her children, Theola Swanegan, Charles M. Swanegan (April), Cleopal Newsome, Watonga, Oklahoma, Estella Palmer (Jim), Piano, Texas, Leona Hampton, Joyce A. Martin, Waymon Swanegan (Joyce) Oklahoma City & Linda Cole (Edward) Wichita Falls, Texas, 27 Grandchildren, 58 great grandchildren, 30 great-great grandchildren. Sisters, Cleo Chiles, Oklahoma City, Irene Buycks, Spencer, Oklahoma, Brother Veryl Chiles, Los Angeles, California, Brother-in-Law, Palmer Swanegan, El Centro, California, Sister-in-laws, Mattie Swanegan, Chino Hills, California, Erlinda Swanegan, Sacramento, California and a host of nieces and nephews. Acknowledgment:
The Family of Elsie Laura Swanegan wishes to express our sincere gratitude for your kind acts of love and continual prayers during our time of bereavement. Perhaps you sent a lovely card, or sat quietly in a chair, perhaps you sent beautiful flowers, if so, we saw them sitting there. Perhaps you sent or spoke kind words as any friend could say, Perhaps you weren't there at all, just thought of us that day. Whatever you did to console the heart, we thank you so much...Whatever the part!