Martha Jane Walker Swearengin Jones

Martha Jane Walker Swearengin Jones died peacefully on April 24, 2012. She was born on December 1, 1925, in Birmingham, AL, to the late James Harmon Walker, Sr., and Jane Otis Sharp. She attended Jackson School, and when the family moved to McCalla, AL., she was among the first students to enter the then "state of the art" McAdory School. She graduated from McAdory High School in 1944 and worked in Birmingham at the Telephone Company. In December 1946, she married Naval Chief Hershell Everett Swearengin of Birmingham. They had two daughters, Nancy Jane born in Jacksonville, FL., and Judy Ann born in Patuxent River, MD. Following Hershell's retirement from the Navy, they returned to McCalla where Martha Jane was active in Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, the Joy Circle and the Nellie Yingling Sunday School class. She taught the second grade Sunday school class and summer Bible School for many years. In 1970, Martha Jane and Hershell were blessed with a third daughter, Lara Ellen. In 1977 Martha Jane began her professional career working for Teacher Corps at McAdory Elementary. Later she went on to work at Bessemer Technical College in the Testing Center. In 1984 she began working for the Birmingham Board of Education in the Special Education Department. She continued working there until her retirement. Hershell died in 1985 and was buried in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida. In 1992, she and Harold Paul Jones (d. 2010) were married and lived on the Warrior River; later they returned to McCalla and Greystone Farms. Preceding her in death was her beloved brother James Harmon Walker, Jr. (d. 2007). Martha Jane is survived by her daughters Nancy S. Brooks (Allen Wiles) of Vestavia Hills, Lara S. Vickery (Daniel Terry) of Birmingham, and Judy A. Swearengin of Anniston; three granddaughters, Jessica Brooks Lane (George Thomas) of Mountain Brook, Juliet Wiles Brooks of New York, N.Y., and Oona Laurel Vickery of Birmingham, and many cousins, nieces and nephews, along with her first great granddaughter who is due to arrive May 6, 2012. The family wishes to thank Dr. James Cantrell and staff at the St. Vincent's Bruno Cancer Center, Dr. Christopher Portante and staff, the nurses from Hope Hospice, the caregivers from Always There, and the staff and friends of Somerby at St. Vincent's 119. The funeral service will be held Friday, April 27, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in the old sanctuary of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church of McCalla with Rev. Alan Head officiating. The family will receive guests an hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Big Sandy Cemetery of Tuscaloosa, AL. Donations can be made to The Big Sandy Cemetery Fund, c/o George Hinton, 14086 Phares Hinton Road, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405. Martha Jane will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Martha Jane Walker Swearengin Jones

December 1, 1925 - April 24, 2012