Ms. Swallows, “Kay” was born November 5, 1925 in Yokohama, Japan. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Oliver Swallows; son, Charles Swallows and daughter, Amy Swallows.
She is survived by her grandchildren, Kristen (Richard III) Steventon, Shannon (Sanjay) Ghosh, Andy (Anna) Baxley and Andrea (Steve) Evans; great grandchildren, Lilly Steventon, Richard IV Steventon, Annabelle Ghosh, Oliver Ghosh, Genevieve Ghosh, Coby Baxley, Skyler (Brendun) Ferguson, Trae Baxley, Abbigayle Baxley, Adeline Baxley, Alexis Evans and Levi Evans.
She was known as a kind soul who loved to cook and care for her family, but most didn’t have the pleasure of knowing her fascinating story. She was raised in Yokohama, Japan and worked in Manchuria at the time of the Soviet invasion. It was there she lived as a refugee for months before returning to Yokohama. Later, during WWII, she met an American GI named Oliver Charles Swallows during the allied occupation while working in her father’s camera shop.
They later married and lived on base in Okinawa and during this time, her son Charles was born. Her husband was stationed stateside shortly afterwards and was not allowed to bring his family because of the War Brides Act, however, after an appeal, Kay traveled across the Pacific on a military ship unaccompanied and pregnant with their daughter Amy and 3 year old son to be reunited with her husband.
They later settled in the Orlando Kissimmee area where they raised their family. After raising her family, she joined Lockheed Martin - Marietta where she worked on various top secret projects until her retirement. She blessed her family with lots of love and delicious Japanese and Southern cooking. After a long struggle with dementia she has finally been reunited with both her children and husband.
A private family memorial service will be held at a later date at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida where she will be interned with her husband.
Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting www.shlagrange.com.
Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 884-8636
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