Leta Virginia Lee Swanson

Leta Virginia Lee Swanson, age 85, of Ballinger passed away Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at her residence.

She was born September 6, 1922 in Waco Texas. She attended grade school and high school and Baylor University in Waco, Texas. She married Paul H. V. Swanson November 28, 1942 in Waco. They were a military family and lived all over the world until Lt. Colonel Swanson retired, and they returned home to Waco in 1970.

Leta was a past member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Waco. After moving to Ballinger in May of 2002, she was a member of the First Baptist Church. She was a lifelong artist and participated in many organizations of the arts, including membership in the State Federation of Porcelain Artists, the Porcelain Art Guild of Waco, the Concho Porcelain Art Club, and was past president of Porcelain Artist’s Teachers Association. She was also a member of the Mid-Texas Artists’ Guild and the Ballinger Woman’s Club.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul, on January 19, 1994.
Mrs. Swanson is survived by daughters, Virginia Ferris of Salida, CO and Paula Moore and husband, Robert of Ballinger. Surviving grandchildren are Sandra Williams of Colorado Springs, CO; Sarah Vaughan and husband, Randal of Fountain Inn, SC; Christopher Ferris of Tampa, FL; Robert Moore, Jr. “Toby” and wife, Tamara of Ballinger; Thomas Moore of Austin; and Scott Moore of San Marcos. Also surviving are great-grandchildren, Destiny and Russell Williams of Colorado Springs, CO; Dillon, Colton, and Brenna Vaughan of Fountain Inn, SC; and three great-great-grandchildren.

The family extends special thanks to Sharon Harvel, Karen Binder, and Dorothy Galvan for their friendship and loving care, to Dr. Mark McKinnon, to Sonya Rose, Ci Ci Lira, and to Hospice of Ballinger.

Funeral service will be Friday, June 27 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church Chapel in Ballinger. A graveside service will be conducted at 4:00 p.m. Friday at Waco Memorial Park in Waco.

Donations may be made to Ballinger Carnegie Library or Ballinger Humane Society.