She was born on August 15, 1927, in Wheeling, Missouri, the oldest child of Donald Merle and Hattie Lucille(Dust) Ewing. She was raised in Wheeling where she graduated high school in 1945. On October 12, 1946 she married Lowell Vane Swank in Kansas City, Missouri. They settled in the eastern suburb of Kansas City, of Raytown, where they raised their seven children.
Throughout her life, Frances worked as a waitress and later at Ross Miller Cleaners. Her most cherished role in life was of homemaker, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Frances’s life revolved around her family and the Swank home was always open to family, friends and the neighborhood children.
Frances loved the Lord and her actions reflected her selfless love of others, her compassion and unconditional love. She was a true Christian in every sense. She attended Sterling Acres Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School, First Baptist Church of Raytown, and in later years joined Norfleet Baptist Church.
Frances was an excellent example of the “Greatest Generation” who was raised in the Great Depression, lived simply off the fruits of the earth, but was rich in many ways as she lived a selfless, honorable life. The Swank family would like to thank her many caregivers including those at the Villages of Jackson Creek and Maywood Terrace Senior Living Center. A special thanks goes to long time caregiver, Cindy McDonald, who provided wonderful care for our mother for many years.
Proverbs 31:28 “Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her”.
Frances was preceded in death by her parents, brother Donald, and husband, Lowell.
She is survived by her sister, Barbara McCoy of Chillicothe, Mo., her children, Lowell Don (Terry), Barbara DeConink, Jerry Vane(Kathy), Jeffery Owen, Rodney Craig, Jill Farmer(Steve) and Julie Fisher(Kevin), her 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren and many other cherished family members.
Services for Frances will be a visitation of Wednesday, November 7th from 5-8pm and Memorial Service on Thursday, November 8th at 1 pm. Services will be held at Mount Moriah Newcomer &Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either Norfleet Baptist Church or Veteran’s Organization, specifically, Tiny Houses for Homeless Veterans at website of veteranscommunityproject.org/donate.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mtmoriah.net for the Swank family.
