Lorena Pryor Swisher, 85, died Saturday, Nov. 14, surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg with the Rev. Pete Beard officiating and visitation services beginning at 1 p.m. Pallbearers will be Sam Swisher, Chris Novosel, Dane Erickson, Jason Key, Donald Ray Pryor and Dick Erickson.

Interment will follow at Warrensburg Memorial Gardens.

Lorena was born June 5, 1930, the daughter of Tipton and Adah Belle Smith Pryor, near Higginsville in Lafayette County, Missouri.

Lorena attended country grade schools in Johnson County, Missouri, graduating eighth grade at Cornelia Grade School. She graduated from College High School in Warrensburg, Missouri. In 1948, she attended Central Missouri State College.

Lorena married Max B. Swisher on June 9, 1951, at Havre de Grace, Maryland, near where Max was stationed for his Army years at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland.

Lorena’s working life included positions at F.W. Woolworth 5 & 10 Cent Store, Town & Country Shoe Factory, Missouri Public Service, the Office of Aberdeen Proving Grounds Commanding Officer, secretary of Whiteman Air Force Base Commanding Officer, Swisher Mower and Machine Company and volunteer positions for numerous nonprofit and charity organizations. Organizations Lorena participated included the JayCee-ettes, American Legion Auxiliary, Bowling Club, and Hospital Guild. She was very active in the Arts, Books and Crafts Club until recent years. She was a lifetime member of the Beta Sigma Phi international organization. Lorena served three years as secretary of the Johnson County Mental Health Association and four years on the Johnson County Board of Services. During that time she helped in establishing a new home for the developmentally disabled in Warrensburg. Lorena was a longtime, active member in the Johnson County Republican Women’s Club. In 1997, she was honored in Jefferson City with the Women of Tribute Award related to her activities in the organization. Since age 15, Lorena has been a member of Johnson County Baptist churches including: Harmony Baptist, First Baptist Church of Warrensburg, and Hickory Hills Baptist Church. She enjoyed volunteering in the nurseries, for vacation Bible school, as an assistant piano player, church clerk, historian and assistant treasurer. Lorena truly believed that loving Christ as her Savior, and loving her family and friends were the greatest blessings of her life. Lorena reflected with appreciation and admiration about having wonderful parents and the unique experiences of being from a large family remembering, “Times were not always easy, but it was a blessing to have seven brothers and five sisters.”

She is survived by daughter, Marcy Ann Erickson (husband Richard); son, Jerry Swisher (wife Cindy); son, Wayne Swisher (wife Kelly); granddaughter, Nikki Swisher Key (husband Jason); grandson, Sam Swisher (wife Katie); granddaughter, Ann Erickson Novosel (husband Chris); one grandson, Dane Erickson; two great-grandsons; brothers, Donald and Gene Pryor; and sister, May Goodwin.

She is preceded by her husband of 64 years, Max B. Swisher, who died just two weeks prior.

Lorena is also preceded by brothers William Pryor, Olin Pryor, Victor Pryor, Raymond Pryor and Paul Pryor; and sisters Bernita Urban, Althea Adams, Lenora White and Berniece Adams.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Warrensburg Senior Center Home Meal Delivery Program or the Warrensburg Food Pantry and both can be left at the funeral home.