Gold Star Mother
Mary E. Thompson Swinford Hairell

 

Location on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Washington, D. C. Panel 26E   Line 019

Sixth County Youth Dies In Viet Nam

The Daily Tribune received word today that another soldier from Matagorda County has lost his life in Viet Nam. The death is the sixth for [the] county in the war. Frank Swinford, the son of F. L. Swinford, of Bay City, died Sept. 6. It had been reported that Swinford's mother lives in Sweeny, however, no details were available at press time today.

The Daily Tribune, September 12, 1967

 

Lee Swinford Killed in Vietnam Sept. 6

Cpl. Frank L. Swinford III, who spent most of his 19 years in Bay City, is the sixth Matagorda Countian to give his life for the service of his country in Vietnam. Cpl. Swinford was the son of Frank L. Swinford of Bay City and Mrs. Hollie Hairell of Sweeny. Swinford was killed in action Sept. 6 near Da Nang, South Vietnam, the Marine Corps reported Tuesday. Known as Lee to his friends, Swinford resided in Bay City most of his life. He attended Bay City Junior High and high school here, then later moved to Sweeny where he also attended school. Lee had been in Vietnam four months at the time of his death. In every letter the family received, Lee would say: "Everyday I'm closer to coming home." Swinford had received a promotion in rank just a week before his death. Lee was serving with the 1st Marine Corps Div., 1st (sic) Co., 3rd Bn. A Marine spokesman reported that he was killed by a mine explosion. At the present time Swinford's body is being shipped home. Funeral arrangements made by the Sweeny Funeral Home. In addition to his parents, Lee is survived by two sisters, Mary Lou Hairell of Sweeny and Polly Ann Swinford of Bay City, and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bradford and Mrs. F. L. Swinford, all of Bay City. He will be buried with full military rites. Lee is the second county youth to give his life this summer. On June 22 Army Specialist Four William Lloyd Hamlin of Palacios was killed while on a security mission. Hamlin was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Reagan Hamlin of Star Route, Palacios.

The Daily Tribune, September 13, 1967
 

Wreaths Across America 2019

Photo courtesy of Kenneth L. Thames
 

Mary’s son Private First Class Frank Levi “Lee” Swinford III (January 5, 1948 - September 6, 1967), United States Marine Corps was killed in action in a fire fight at Quang Tin, South Vietnam.  He is buried in Section 9, Cedarvale Cemetery, Bay City, Texas. At the time of his death his family was living in Sweeny.
 

Mary Thompson Swinford Hairell
(Mrs. Hollie/Sanmama)
Dec. 25, 1928 –Nov. 28, 2012

Sanmama joined Sandaddy and the boys in Heaven on November 28, 2012. Mary Elizabeth was born on Christmas Day 1928 to J. O. Sr. and Nell Thompson.

She later married Hollie Hairell and “Mr. & Mrs. Hollie” moved to Sweeny in 1963 and owned several restaurants throughout the next 20 plus years.

She loved her family and was always there with words of wisdom or a good laugh! She will be greatly missed but left us with a lifetime of wonderful memories.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; husband; sons, Ricky, Lee and Bubba Hollie.

She is survived by: her daughter, Mary Lou Lynn and Ron; sons, Toby Lively, Dan Hairell and Karen and daughter-in-law, Pat Shroyer; brothers, J. O. Thompson Jr., and Evelyn and Henry Bradford and Mary Ann; grandchildren, Kellie Reardon and Bill, Theresa Hairell, Stuart Lynn and Lisa, Amanda Lynn, Brandon Lively and Amanda, Kyle Lively and Kendall, D’an Kocian and Chad and Kristi Heidrich and Eric; 13 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at Calvary Baptist Church in Bay City.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Kings Children’s Home, 1201 6th Street, Bay City, Texas 77414. This is an orphanage in Belize that our family helps support. Members of the family will be going to Belize at Christmas and will take the donations in honor of Sanmama.

A very special thanks to Amed Community Hospice and Sweeny Community Hospital for the wonderful care she received.

Bay City Tribune, December 2, 2012
 

Frank Levi Swinford
July 10, 1924 - Aug. 27, 2005

Frank Levi Swinford, Jr. 81, of Sun City, Arizona died August 27, 2005 at Sun Health Hospice in Peoria, Arizona.
 
He was born July 10, 1924 in Bay City, Texas to the late Frank Levi, Sr. and Slamonia Lewis Swinford.

Mr. Swinford was a resident of Sun City since 1998 and a former longtime resident of Bay City where he grew up and spent most of his life. He was member of St. Paul's Methodist Church, a veteran of WW II serving in the US Navy, and he was a Phillips Petroleum retiree after 35 years of service.
 
Frank was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, and will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew him.
 
Survivors include: wife, Carla J. Swinford of Sun City, Arizona; daughter and son-in-law, Polly and David Guidry of Bay City; several step children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He also is survived by two sisters and many friends.

A Memorial Graveside Funeral Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, September 17, 2005 at Cedarvale Cemetery with the Rev. Tom Morgan officiating.
 
Local arrangements with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home.
 
The Bay City Tribune, September 14, 2005
 

Vietnam Veterans Memorial rubbing courtesy of Anette Uher.