Mary Joyce Swanda

Mary Joyce (Claborn) Swanda was born February 3, 1934 at home in Caddo County, Oklahoma to Robert
and Roberta (Beavers) Claborn. She passed away surrounded by her family on Thursday, March 3, 2022,
in Anadarko. She was 88.

Funeral services will be held Monday, March 7, at 10:00 AM at the First Christian Church in Apache, OK with Pastor Jim Hall officiating. Serving as pallbearers will be Bryan Swanda, Dylan Swanda, Chandler Pettit, Kolby Williams, Bill Noethlich, and Jason Claborn. Interment will be held following the services at Fairview Cemetery in Apache. Arrangements have been entrusted to Crews Funeral Home.

Mary Joyce graduated from Apache High School in 1951. She married the love of her life, Danny Swanda,
in Cyril, on May 7, 1952. During their marriage they raised three wonderful boys. She loved people and
volunteered her time to her community. She served as secretary for the Fair Board, was on the County
Health Board, was a founding member of the Apache Museum, Secretary for the Apache Historical
Society, and was a founding member of the town library. She was the 2001 Apache Woman of the Year
and was voted Apache town treasurer in 2010. She helped bring little league baseball to Apache. She was a member of the First Christian Church for 60 years. She was the state president of the General
Federation of Women’s Clubs and served on the board for the National Federation of Women’s Clubs.
She was a collection agent for Arkla Gas. During this time, she owned and operated MJ’s Window
Shoppe, where she sold dresses and other clothes. She loved sewing and making her children’s clothes.
Most of all, she loved her family.

Preceded in death by her parents; brother, Bobbie Claborn; sister-in-law, Peggy Claborn; brother, Marion Claborn; sister, Virginia Brush; brother-in-law, Charlie Brush; granddaughter, Summer Swanda; Mary Joyce is survived by her husband, Danny Swanda; sons: Robert Swanda of Apache, Kent Swanda and wife Tamey of Apache, Dayne Swanda and wife Nina of Apache; grandchildren: Dylan Swanda, Sierra Williams and husband Kolby, Emma Swanda, Kassie Pettit and husband Chandler, Bryan Swanda and wife Deanna, Samantha Noethlich and husband Bill; great grandchildren: Danny L. Swanda, Owen Noethlich, Claire Noethlich, Elsie Noethlich and Wrenlee Williams; brothers: Billy Claborn and wife Cecile, Andy Claborn and wife Vicki; and sister, Barbara Claborn.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Apache Historical Society.

Online condolences can be made to the family at www.crewsfh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Joyce Swanda, please visit our floral store.