1918
2017
Mary Elsie Trussell Swanson of Plano, Texas, passed on to be with her Lord in Heaven on June 2, 2017, after 98 wonderful years on Earth. Mary Elsie was born on November 2, 1918, in Mt. Calm, Texas to father Daniel Eugene Trussell, Sr., and mother Lucius Cornelius (Bass) Trussell. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Roy Erwin Swanson, Sr., sons James Logan Swanson, Don Eugene Swanson, John Edward Swanson, daughter-in-law Teresa (Anderson) Swanson, her brother Daniel E. Trussell, Jr., and her sisters Gladys (Trussell) Wright and Cora Lee (Trussell) Everett. Mary Elsie is survived by sons Roy E. Swanson, Jr. of Sugarland, Texas, Bill Swanson and wife Sue of Plano, Texas, daughter-in-law Linda (Rankin) Swanson, sisters Lucius Cornelius "Connie" (Trussell) Baker of Farmers Branch, and Patsy Pharr of Ocala, Florida. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Shortly after Mary Elsie's 91st birthday, she wrote the following autobiography.
I celebrated my 91st birthday November 18, 2009 and am feeling humbled. One of my grandsons has requested that I write my autobiography.
I was born in Mt. Calm, Hill County, Texas on November 2, 1918. The interim years I lived in Itasca, Texas and Ft. Worth, Texas. My life has been filled with love, wonder, and miracles, 5 sons, daughters-in-law, Teresa, Sue, Yolanda, Jill and Linda. 15 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Naturally, there have been some sad times. Death of their Dad, my husband, Roy Erwin Swanson, Sr. in 1991 and death of our son Don Eugene, in 2009. We know they are safe in the arms of our Lord.
Our oldest son, Roy Jr., has always been there when needed for his brothers. He has 3 daughters, Kathy, Susie and Linda.
Jim our second son, can always make you feel happy. He's our breath of fresh air! He's very industrious and independent, has operated an offshore shipping company in Jakarta, Indonesia for 30 years. He has one daughter, Debbie.
Bill, our third son, is good natured, easy to get along with, can always see the positive in Life. He and Sue have two sons, Sam and Steve.
Don our fourth son, was a giving and caring person who would give the shirt off his back to anyone. He lived on a ranch, enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was an insurance adjuster. His 4 children are Kyle & Leslie, Charles & Cassie.
John, Don's twin brother, has 5 daughters, Alice, Bryce, Crystyl, D'Andra and Nuffy. John and Linda are model parents. I am filled with pride and fond memories of my visits with them through the years.
Don and John were quite a pair when they were growing up. What one couldn't think of the other one could. They were mischievous and daring. One game they played was the "2 cans connected by a string". They would
stand around the corner from each other, one saying, "Can you hear me? Can you hear me?" the other one answering "No, I can't. No, I can't."
When they started in first grade, their teacher, Mrs. Towle, would tell me about their climbing in competition with other students. It didn't matter how high the branches reached, they would climb to the top first, and win!!
Summing it all up, I would give each and all of my 5 sons – "from 1 to 10" – a "10". Am I prejudiced? YES!! They are my Pride and Joy!!
My husband and I married in 1938 in Ft. Worth, Texas. We met at the Travis Avenue Baptist Church. Our 5 sons were born within the first 8 years. Then we moved to Brownsville, Texas in 1948. My husband accepted a job with Anderson Clayton Company to manage the oil mills in Mexico. Brownsville being on the TX/MX border was the ideal place for us to rear our children – Stateside. Brownsville was home for 45 years. Though we were not farmers, we wanted to rear our sons on the farm. So, we purchased 18 acres, seven miles from town. A neighbor farmed the land for us through the years on per-centage share basis, and year after year he planted tomatoes and cotton.
In 1993, after all the boys were in their own homes, I was living alone in Brownsville. Bill and Sue persuaded me to move to Plano to be near them. It was the right move. Plano has been my home for 16 years. I am happy here.
I was reared in Ft. Worth, Texas. My dad, Daniel Eugene Trussell, was an auto mechanic and my mother, Lucius Cornelia Bass, was a seamstress. Also, she had a costume rental business.
There were 6 children in the Trussell Family, 5 girls and 1 boy.
Three of my sisters, Cora Lee Everett, Lucius Cornelia Baker and Patsy Ruth Pharr married Baptist Preachers.
My oldest sister, Gladys Evelyn Wright, was a stay at home mom.
Then, since I took business courses in high school, I was equipped to work in an office. I worked at various jobs, cashiering and clerical – but enjoyed most of all my 12 years as a Bank Teller. I'm a people person!!
My brother, Dan Jr., was 2 years younger than me. He served in the Navy – WW2 – as a boatswain (carpenter). When the war ended, Dan Jr. went into the auto mechanic business with our Dad.
My grandparents had large families.
Paternal – 10 children
Maternal – 11 children
Large families were common in those years.
My Grandpa Trussell was a wealthy farmer.
My Grandpa Bass was a dentist.
My prayer is that I live within God's Plan for my life and that I am a Witness for The Lord in my everyday life.
Mary Elsie Trussell
November 27, 2009
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Ted Dickey Funeral Home.
July 6, 2017
Binu Kishnani
Binu Kishnani Heartfelt condolences on the loss of your mother.. i am sure she lived a wonderful life. I remember Jim always talking fondly about her. May the Lord shower his healing grace upon all of you and grant her soul eternal peace in HIS divine abode ...
July 6, 2017
Dennis McCabe
I was moved by your mother's words. They say and imply so much about her life and her values. Obviously she was a loving person who placed family first and foremost. Condolences to you and your family.
July 6, 2017
Penny Damron
I know how it feels to lose a parent. Your Mom was a very sweet lady and had a a long life. Praying for comfort to your family.
July 6, 2017
Nina Freeman
Bill, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Your mother always spoiled me when we visited with you all. Little girl among all those boys. Of course my family had enough boys too. What a special long life that you have shared with her
July 6, 2017
Billy J Stachowiak
Sorry to hear about the passing of your Mother. I remember seeing her when my brother Johnny bought a horse named Sunny from the twins. She lived a long, long life. My mother, and Alice's grandmother Stachowiak missed 95 years by only 44 days. Prayers and good thoughts to you and your family from your classmate BHS 1961.
July 6, 2017
Teddy Renfrow
Bill, I remember your mother, from the bank and from being neighbors on farm road 511. I am sure it was either John Renfrow or Roy Renfrow who farmed the land. Your brother,Jim, was in my BHS graduating class. Your mom was a beautiful lady. I sorry for your loss.
July 6, 2017
Julie Simmons
Bill, we are all so sorry for the loss of your Mom, but what a beautiful life she lived. She was always a joy to be with! We will always remember her smile. Beautiful obituary also summing her life. Thank you!
July 6, 2017
Nina Vaughan Smith
I'm sorry for your loss Bill Swanson. May she now rest in peace
July 6, 2017
Jeanne Crowe Lynch
You can celebrate the wonderful life she led. And the legacy she left with you and Roy.
July 6, 2017
Corinne Mascola
I'm so sorry for your loss, Bill. She was so lovely and beautiful. I loved your mom and feel blessed to have been part of her family through my sister. My deepest condolences to you and Roy and your family. My thoughts and prayers are of you at this time.
July 6, 2017
Betty Pennington Gilbert
A beautiful legacy and a beautiful tribute to your Mom. Prayers for you and your family!
July 6, 2017
Alice Stachowiak Ziegler
The obituary is beautiful. You have done a great honor to Mamaw's memory. Love you
July 6, 2017
Georgia Belle Sampson
So sorry for the loss of your Mother, Bill...our thoughts & prayers are with you and your family!!
July 6, 2017
Kandy Chisolm
May God give you His peace and comfort . . . Thinking of you,
July 6, 2017
Robert Burns
Sorry for the loss Bill, it's wonderful for you to had her for so many years. It's still hard to say goodbye. So from the Burns family may God be with you at this time.
July 6, 2017
Lulu Rivera Savino
I'm so sorry to hear this, Bill. I feel like I've known her all my life through Jim's stories of her. Greatest lady ever. Such a big lost for you and Roy and your families. May she rest in heaven
July 6, 2017
Euis Jacobs
I'm so sorry to hear this, Bill. I feel like I've known her all my life through Jim's stories of her. Greatest lady ever. Such a big lost for you and Roy and your families. May she rest in heaven
July 6, 2017
Karen Copenhaver Pattillo
She raised a lovely family and that is the greatest contribution for a mother. My sympathy to the Swanson Family.
July 6, 2017
Frank Rodriguez II
Condolences to you and yours! Love and prayers to all your way. I lost my Mother 18 years years ago and still miss her everyday!
July 6, 2017
Linda Zych
Sorry for your loss Bill..thoughts and prayers for her, you and the family
July 6, 2017
Julie Merrill
We are so sorry for your loss Bill. Your mom sounds like a lovely, fun lady. You were blessed to have her with you for so many years. Her own testimony leaves you the assurance she is at peace & in Heaven!
July 6, 2017
Fran Merrill Wunderlich
The service in Plano was very nice, loved you reading her story (and adding the fun stories on top). She was a very special lady, such a big part of the kids growing up, what a blessing!
June 11, 2017
Jim and Dena Wood
To the family of this wonderful woman of God. It is a testament to our Lord that her time on earth was many years past the 70 years the word says a good life gets us to in life. She has an amazing story and wonderful family left behind to carry on her legacy of the Lord. God Bless you all. In Jesus.
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