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Karen Alice Swanda, daughter of late Monroe Elliott and Ruby Hooker Elliott was born on May 29, 1940 and passed into Glory May 21, 2021. She was delivered into this world by Dr. McClure of Fort Cobb, Oklahoma—who also had delivered her future husband, Joe Swanda, two years earlier. She was the youngest of four children, and the only daughter. Her brothers, Donald, Dobbs, and Sam Elliott, preceded her death.
Karen grew up on a farm in Oney, Oklahoma, and attended Oney schools. She was a gifted singer with a voice of an angel. As a young adult Karen attended Singing Camps and sang in competitions and at festivals.
She graduated high school in the Spring of 1958 and was recruited by the #1 Basketball team in America, the "Flying Queens," from Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas. After graduation, Karen married her sweetheart, Joe Carl Swanda, and journeyed into a life with him.
Karen's talents were many. She was in the chorus with the Oklahoma City Opera, and preformed in Fiddler on the Roof, Madam Butterfly, Evita, as well as many others. For many years, she sang in the Singing Church Women of Oklahoma Choir, and traveled with the group to Brazil and Romania on mission tours.
Karen was very active in the churches she attended, Olivet Baptist Church of Oklahoma City, Emmanuel Baptist of Enid, First Baptist church of Edmond, and Henderson Hills Baptist of Edmond. She loved teaching Sunday School, working in the nursery, and always singing in the Choir. Most of all Karen loved the Lord and served him with all her heart.
During the 1980s, Karen worked for Mo Anderson at Century 21 and became a top-producing Realtor.
She exhibited other talents as a seamstress, a beloved wife, a mother, and a grandmother.
She loved people, never thinking of herself but always thinking of other's first.
Karen loved traveling the United states with Joe in their RV and Wheel's Ago-go RV Club, touring the beauty of the United States.
She is survived by: Joe Swanda, her loving husband of 63 years; her son Ricky Swanda and wife Cindy; her son Chris Swanda; her daughter Susan Doubleday and her husband Nathan; four grandsons, Chance Swanda and wife Dorothy, Cole Swanda, Andy Hatcher, and Joey Hatcher; and two granddaughters, Hope Swanda and Cassey Hatcher; two great grandchildren, great-grandson Pacey; and great-granddaughter, Paton Swanda.
Most of all Karen Swanda loved to sing and praise her Lord.
A service honoring Karen's life will be at 4pm on Friday, June 4th in the High School Room at Henderson Hills Baptist Church.
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