H.R. No. 656
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the
passing of Joyce Mae Bright Swearingen of Nacogdoches on
December 25, 2022, at the age of 98; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of George Novel and Dovie Mae Bright,
the former Joyce Bright was born in Nacogdoches on February 4, 1924,
and she grew up with the companionship of two brothers, N. G. and
Charles; she attended Nacogdoches High School, and in 1943, she
graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University, where she met
the love of her life, James Douglas Swearingen; the couple
exchanged wedding vows on January 10, 1946, one month after he
returned home from World War II, and they went on to share nearly
seven decades of marriage before his passing in 2012; and
WHEREAS, In the late 1940s, Mrs. Swearingen embarked on a
long and rewarding career managing Swearingen Office Equipment and
Nacogdoches Credit Bureau alongside her husband; following the sale
of the credit bureau in 1969, she began working at the Fredonia
State Bank and would eventually retire as vice president, the first
woman in the bank's history to hold the position; active in her
professional community, she joined the East Texas Group of the
National Association of Bank Women and was later inducted into the
association's hall of fame for her work in finance; and
WHEREAS, A pillar of the Nacogdoches community,
Mrs. Swearingen gave generously of her time and talents to a number
of clubs and civic organizations throughout her life, including
United Way, the newcomer service club, the Fredonia Ladies and
Gents Travel Club, the SFA Foundation, and the Nacogdoches County
Chamber of Commerce, which she served as the first female
president; she was also the founding chairwoman of the Nacogdoches
Heritage Festival; a woman of faith, she was an active congregant of
First Christian Church; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Swearingen was the devoted mother of 4
children, Sandra Lou, James Douglas, John Novel, and Janet Kay, and
with the passing years, she had the pleasure of seeing her family
grow to include 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; in her
leisure time, she loved to cook and entertain; and
WHEREAS, Joyce Swearingen lived a life that was rich in
family, friends, and community service, and those who were
privileged to share in her love and affection will forever hold her
close in their hearts; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Joyce Mae Bright
Swearingen and extend sincere condolences to all who mourn her
passing; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Joyce
Swearingen.
Clardy
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 656 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on March 30, 2023.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House