Marie Elizabeth [Betty] Westbrook Swisher, 97, of Marshall, died Monday, January 24, at her home.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, January 28, at Covenant Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Philip Olson officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, January 27, at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Marshall and from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, January 28, at Covenant Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in Ridge Park Cemetery in Marshall. Memorials are suggested to Covenant Presbyterian Church, Marshall Philharmonic Orchestra, or Saline County Democrat Club. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com.
Betty was the daughter of Wellington M. Westbrook and Marie J. Westbrook and was born in Marshall, MO on July 2, 1924. Her father was the Superintendent of Marshall Public Schools for 21 years: 1916-1937. She graduated Marshall High School in 1941, then attended Missouri Valley College for two years and transferred to William Jewell College, where she graduated in August of 1944.
On January 19, 1947, she married Charles H. Swisher, at First Baptist Church in Marshall. She joined his church, Odell Ave. Presbyterian Church USA [later renamed Covenant Presbyterian, USA], where she was an active member, serving as an Elder and as the Choir Director, also singing in that Choir, and playing in the bell choir, among other duties. She was a frequent volunteer at the Marshall Hab Center Sunday worship, and served on the Habitat for Humanity Board. She was a member of Chapter JS of P.E.O. here in Marshall. She was a charter member of the Marshall Philharmonic Orchestra where she played viola for 43 years, and served as the 1st President of the Philharmonic Board. She was also a long time member of the Saline County Democratic Committee, serving at least one term as Third Ward Committee Woman. In 1995, she was inducted into the MVC Women’s Hall of Fame. In 2006 she received the Al Bunch Humanitarian Award from the Mental Health Association of Saline County.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 44 years, Charles H. Swisher, all of Marshall; her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Margaret & Robert L. Hoy; her nephew, Robert L. Hoy Jr. of Atlanta; her brother & sister-in-law, W.M Jr. [Shady] & Shirley Westbrook of Seattle; and her son-in-law, Nicholas Meyers of New York City.
She is survived by her son, the Rev. John C. Swisher of Marshall; her daughter, Sally Swisher [Meyers] of Marshall; her grandchildren: Rebekkah Swisher [Marshall], Maria Swisher, Ian Swisher and Gabriel Meyers of Los Angeles, Ada Meyers of NYC and Charlotte Meyers of Provincetown MA; her great-grandchildren: Franklin and Ella Marshall of LA; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews from around the country.