Florna Agnes Swisher, 96, a resident of Central Avenue, Parsons, departed this life early Sunday morning, Sept. 29, 2002, at her home. She had been in declining health.
She was born Sept. 12, 1906, at Mt. Zion, near St. George, a daughter of the late Orestes H. Strawderman and Harriet Laverna Sturms Strawderman.
She was twice married. First to Edgar Herbert Tahaney, who preceded her in death in July 1938. Then on April 30, 1960, at Fairmont, she married Robert H. Swisher, who preceded her in death on Oct. 27, 1979.
Surviving are one daughter, Margaret Tahaney Gray and husband, Odford “Buck,” Parsons; three stepsons, Bob Swisher and Dick Swisher, both of Arizona, and Dave Swisher, Texas; four stepdaughters, Peggy Moore, Katie Rohrbaugh, both of North Carolina, Nina Duke, Texas, and Betsy Swisher, Hamlin; one sister, Lulu Wilfong, Parsons; three grandsons, Patrick Gray and wife, Lynda, Gregory Gray and wife, Carolyn, all of Parsons, and Timothy Gray, Shinnston; two great-granddaughters, Sabrina Marks and Kelly Gray; and two great-great-grandsons, Gavin Luke Marks and Sterlin Gregory Skidmore, all of Parsons.
She was preceded in death by one stepson, Don Swisher; one stepdaughter, Harriet Rosier; four brothers, Edwin, Opha, Morris and Denver Strawderman; and two sisters, Flossie Martin and Bessie Phillips.
She attended the school at Mt. Zion. She was a camp cook for M.M & D.D. Brown Brothers Lumber Co, at Clover Run. She was a cook for the former Mill Run School at Dry Fork. She worked for the former Parsons Nursery and worked at the former Dorman Mills for 20 years, retiring in 1960. She was a longtime active member of the St. John’s United Methodist Church, Parsons, of which she was a member of the Women’s Society. She was a member of the church choir and worked in the kitchen of the church for many years.
The family will receive friends Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Final rites will be conducted at the funeral home parlor Wednesday at 11 a.m. The Rev. John Morrison and the Rev. Leon Hevener will officiate and interment will follow at the Parsons City Cemetery.
