ALBANY, Mo. — Rachel Louise Swartz, 81, of Albany, departed this life on Thursday, November 5, 2009, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Mo.
Rachel was born December 13, 1927, in Gentry County, Mo. She was the eldest of seven children born to Charles James and Inez Bell (Culp) Gardner.
On February 5, 1948, Rachel was united in marriage to Garland Swartz. To this union, three children were born. Garland preceded her in death June 16, 2005.
Rachel was a homemaker and previously worked at the Albany Regional Center for 20 years before retiring. She was a member of the Albany First Baptist Church.
Besides her husband, Rachel was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Alice Rice and Norma Severe.
Survived by her children: Judy (Ron) Frey, Longview, Texas; Ralph (Cherry) Swartz, Union Star, Mo.; Don (Debbie) Swartz, Omaha, Neb.; sister, Anna Hughes, Albany; brothers: Delbert Gardner, Travelers Rest, S.C.; Charles Gardner, Albany; Lawrence Gardner, Milwaukee, Wis.; seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.
Funeral Services: 2 p.m. Sunday, November 8, at the First Baptist Church, Albany, with burial in the Grandview Cemetery, Albany. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday evening at the Roberson-Polley Chapel, Albany, where friends may call anytime after 2 p.m. Saturday.
Memorial Contributions: Albany First Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be left at: www.robersonpolleychapel.com.