Betty Jean Swiger

Betty Jean Ward Swiger, 92, of Savannah, GA, passed away on May 3, 2016 under the care of Hospice Savannah. She was born in Rochester, PA, Jan 18, 1924, to the late Iva Isabelle (Romine) and Ottie Raymond Ward.
Mrs. Swiger was reared primarily in WV, where she attended schools in Ravenswood, Vienna, and Parkersburg. She obtained her Registered Nurse's degree through the US Cadet Nurse Corps at Camden-Clark Hospital in Parkersburg, WV. In 1945 she married USAF Master Sergeant (Retired) Robert B. Swiger, formerly of Salem, WV and moved with him to Tampa, FL, the first of several military relocations. She raised her family in places like Newfoundland, Canada; Albany, GA; Columbus, OH; and Savannah, GA.
Mrs. Swiger worked as a Registered Nurse in the Newborn Nurseries of Memorial Hospital (1955-1962) and St Joseph's Hospital (1971-1980) in Savannah, GA. She was active in Windsor Forest Baptist Church especially with the Sunshiners and LeCroy Sunday School Classes. She enjoyed arts and crafts, reading, and sewing.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Swiger was preceded in death by her sisters Madge Bishop and Lena Corbitt, and brother Woody R. Ward, as well as an infant daughter, Eleanor Ruth. She is survived by three daughters: Elizabeth (James) Smith of Midway, GA; Virginia (Gerald) Rehnert of Center Point, WV; Margaret Swiger of Savannah, GA; four grandchildren: James Smith III, Heather Foxworthy, Rachel Plate (all in Alaska) and Robert Rehnert of West Virginia. She has eight great-grandchildren, also in Alaska.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 9th at Hillcrest Abbey West. In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Swiger's family suggests donations to your local church, animal shelter, or to a military veterans' organization.