Mrs. Sarah Burnice Swilley

SWILLEY, Mrs. Sarah Burnice - Age 79, passed away Thursday, August 8, 2019 at McLaren-Flint. Family hour 10:00 AM Saturday, August 17, 2019 at Bethlehem Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith, 3401 Dr. Martin L. King Ave., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM.Elder Phillip J. Thompson, Pastor. Interment Flint Memorial Park, G-9506 N. Dort Hwy., Mt. Morris, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the Church 10:00 AM Saturday. Mrs. Swilley will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM Friday, with family presence to receive friends 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Mother Sarah Burnice Swilley entered into this life on April 12, 1940 in Starkville, Mississippi, the daughter of Willie D. Rich and Syslee Perkins. She was educated in Starkville and met the love of her life, R.D. Swilley, just outside of Greenwood, MS. Sarah moved to Chicago, IL where she and R.D. later reunited and were married on May 30, 1956. To this union were born eight children. They were married 56 years before the Lord called her husband, R.D. home. Mother Swilley was baptized at a young age and was a faithful member of Bethlehem Temple Church until her health began to decline. She loved gardening, cooking, canning vegetables from her garden, sewing, knitting and most of all quilting. Mother Swilley made her gift of love to many, one of her beautiful handmade quilts. She adored her family and loved having family get togethers. Mother Swilley was employed at Chevrolet Metal Fab, a division of General Motors Corporation, retiring after 29 1/2 years of service. On Thursday, August 8th, Mother Sarah was call to rest at McLaren-Flint. Mother Sarah Burnice Swilley leaves to cherish her love, laughter and precious memories: 8 children, Number One Reynold (Theresa) Swilley, Kimberly (Jeffery) Manley, Andre Swilley, Jerry (Peggy) Bickham Swilley, Derek (Lisa) Swilley, Clarissa Swilley Green, Terrance Swilley and Demetrius Swilley; 22 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; sisters, Ebby Alford and Octavia Lacy; adopted brother, Frank (Lou) Swilley; sister cousin, Elmalee (Jimmy) Stephens; brother-in-law, Bishop Joe (Exia) Swilley; sister-in-law, Vera Swilley Glass; a host of special cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends including special friends, Sis. Alberta Lee, Sis. Ella Mae Lewis, Sis. Celene Pate, Sis. Cathryn Gray, Mrs. Lou Hairston, Mrs. Mary Deloach, Mrs. Anne Stewart, Mrs. Emma Sams, the Bradley family and the Cobb family. Mother Swilley was preceded in death by her husband, R.D. Swilley; grandson, Terrance Swilley II; parents, Willie D. Rich and Syslee Perkins; sisters, Lariene Gillespie and Nora Bickham; brother, Willie Rich Jr. Special thanks are extended to Dr. Abdulla Raffee, Dr. Gretta Rode, Medi-Lodge, Cartells Inns, McLaren-Flint, Reverence Health and Home Care Team, Pastor Theron Wiggins and the Bethel Apostolic Church family, Pastor Phillip J. Thompson and the Bethlehem Temple Church of the Apostolic Faith family.

Mrs. Sarah Burnice Swilley

April 12, 1940 - August 8, 2019