88S20177 BPG-D
By: Price H.R. No. 7
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 McCoy Swinford of Dumas on June 21, 2023, at the
age of 79; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of Milas and Mary Ann McCoy, the former
Joyce McCoy was born in American Fork, Utah, on September 27, 1943,
and spent most of her childhood in New Mexico; her family moved to
Lubbock just before her senior year, and she graduated from
Monterey High School; as a student at Texas Tech University, she met
the love of her life, David Swinford, and they married on June 19,
1964; the couple settled in Dumas and welcomed a son, David
Christopher, in 1965, and a daughter, Melissa Rae, two years later;
and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Swinford devoted herself happily to her home
and family for several years while her children were small; later,
she taught kindergarten part-time at First Street Church of Christ,
and she eventually became a bookkeeper for the family business,
Moore County Grain; along the way, she was very involved in her
children's activities, and she traveled extensively to help them
with their 4-H and FFA livestock; she also volunteered with the
Community Concerts program, and in her free time, she enjoyed
singing and playing the piano; and
WHEREAS, When Mr. Swinford ran for a seat in the Texas House
of Representatives, Mrs. Swinford campaigned for him
enthusiastically, driving countless miles to participate in
parades and various functions; following his election in 1990, she
supported his work wholeheartedly and became active in the
Legislative Ladies Club, which she served as president from 2001 to
2003; many friends and family members visited the Swinfords in
Austin, and she graciously showed them around the city and the
Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Swinford was a member of the 2007 Leadership
Texas cohort, and she took part in Business & Professional Women's
Club activities in the Panhandle; a woman of faith, she was a valued
congregant of Sunray Church of Christ, where she served in myriad
capacities, including teaching children's Bible classes and
assisting with Monday Night for the Master and the women's
ministry; she hosted numerous showers, small groups, and other
gatherings in her home as well; and
WHEREAS, Above all, Mrs. Swinford was dedicated to her
family; she enjoyed making holidays and other get-togethers extra
special, and she made sure her four grandsons had wonderful
memories of their visits to Granny and Granddad in Austin; her
grandchildren and great-grandchildren always brought a smile to her
face; she and her husband shared a fulfilling relationship of 58
years until his passing; she was also preceded in death by a
granddaughter, Christie Marie Bates, as well as her parents, Milas
and Mary Ann McCoy, her parents-in-law, Oley and Hazel Swinford,
her brothers-in-law, Sammy Alan, Earl, and Jerry, and her
sister-in-law, Pat; and
WHEREAS, Although Joyce Swinford will be deeply missed, those
who held her dear will forever remember the warmth and kindness she
brought into their lives; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of
Joyce McCoy Swinford and extend sincere condolences to the members
of her family: to her son, Chris Swinford, and his wife, Brenda; to
her daughter, Melissa Bates, and her husband, Rob; to her
grandsons, Daniel Swinford, Alan Swinford and his wife, Haylee,
Phillip Bates and his wife, Alayna, and William Bates and his wife,
Isabel; to her great-grandchildren, Gavin, Kieran, Josiah, Adelyn,
and Ellie; to her brother, David McCoy; to her sisters-in-law,
Sylvia Swinford and Jimmie Swinford; and to her many other
relatives and friends; 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 McCoy
Swinford.