DOROTHY GAY SWANSON Dorothy Gay Swanson, 97, of Rt. #4, Philippi, died Friday evening, May 10, in the Holbrook on the Hill Nursing Home, Buckhannon, following an extended illness. She was born June 19, 1915, at Philippi, the daughter of the late Willis O. “Bruz” and Letha Gay (Bryan) Lantz. On April 24, 1937, she was married to Norwood Victor “Swede” Swanson, who preceded her in death on April 12, 1991. She was also preceded in death by her son, Norman Hugh Swanson, by her grandson, Timothy Hugh Swanson and by her brother, William O. “Billy” Lantz. Survivors include a host of friends and neighbors who helped her and looked after her in her final years, including Molly Campbell and husband, Ross and their children, Eli, Alayna and Carys, of Buckhannon. She was a homemaker and farm wife and was a former Avon Representative. A fiercely independent lady, Mrs. Swanson was an avid gardener and canner. She was a member of the Jerusalem United Methodist Church, the Silent Grove and Barbour County C.E.O.S., the Woodman of the World and Dorcas Rebekah Lodge. She was an Emeritus Director and active member of the Barbour County Fair Association. She was a 4 – H volunteer and a member of the Barbour County 4 – H Camp Board. She was a former Barbour County Belle and was a West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals Hall of Fame winner. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, May 14, from the Stemple & Forman Funeral Home, 385 So. Main Street, Philippi. The Rev. Tim Bleigh will officiate and interment will follow in the Jerusalem Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. on Monday and from 9:00 until 11:00 A.M., the funeral hour, on Tuesday. Memorials are requested in the form of contributions to Barbour County C.E.O.S. or Barbour County 4 – H. The Stemple & Forman Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements
