Blanche Swinford

BROWNWOOD, Mo. -- Blanche Lee Melba Swinford, 73, of Brownwood passed away Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, at her home.

She was born May 20, 1936, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of David and Ruby Probst Mandrell and Boyd Hobbs. She and Lester "Red" Swinford were married April 5, 1953, in Cape Girardeau. He preceded her in death Aug. 3, 2009.

Blanche was a member of Grace Full Gospel Tabernacle Church in Advance, Mo. She was one of 14 children: Ruby, Lilly, Elmer, Joe, John, Robert, Jim, Vena, Wilma Mandrell and Louis, Lonnie, Darrell and Norma Hobbs.

Survivors include a son, Gary (Sally) Swinford of Brownwood; three daughters, Fran (JR) Warren of Fruitland, Phyllis (Bobby) Newberry of Zalma, Mo., Trudi Swinford of Brownwood; 17 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a son, Jackie Lester Swinford.

Visitation will be held from noon to service time today at Grace Full Gospel Tabernacle Church.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at the church, with the Rev. J.D. Smith officiating. Burial will be in Williams Cemetery at Perkins, Mo.

Morgan Funeral Home in Advance is in charge of arrangements.