Carrie Ruth Swails

Carrie Ruth Swails Colyer (1895 - 1979) was the daughter of William Sylvester Swailes and Mary Elizabeth Pennebaker.

She was born on 21 Mar 1895 and died on 7 Aug 1979 at the age of 84.

Carrie was a very devout Christian. She attended church until her age and health prevented her from going.

She wrote poetry and it was often based on her faith. Some of her poems were published. She read the bible from beginning to end each year,some everyday.

As long as her health let her she kept a garden and preserved food. She had lily of the valley growing on the side of her house along with honeysuckle growing up the side of her porch. She would send some of the fragrant blossoms pressed in a letter to her daughter Cathy in Oregon.

One of Carrie's daughters related a conversation with Carrie - she said that when she was nine years old she worked for a family watching children and only came home on Saturdays. She made 25 cents a week. She had to rock a baby the whole time it was sleeping and got scolded if it woke up.

At just fifteen years of age according to the census she was working as a seamstress out of her home with her mother and step-father. She made her daughter's clothes and later some pretty little dresses for her grand daughters. During the depression it was difficult with seven children and she carefully patched sheets and other items.

Over the years we have learned things which she never spoke of such as how she made sure nieces and nephews always had a little gift for Christmas and it was their only gift. She gave gifts of money when she knew people were having a rough time. She made loafs of home made bread and loaded them in a wagon and with grandchildren in tow sold it door to door. This she did to send money to a daughter going through a very bad time.She took care of all the family's resting places growing flowers and keeping them neat. She planted poppies on her son Luther's grave because they were his favorite flowers.

[Story: Missing]
Gramma had a white bible with family genealogy in it. There was a relative who did not want anyone to see what was in the bible. The bible disappeared from her home.

She had the most beautiful penmanship.

She never wore a pair of pants in her life, only dresses.

She was proud to hold the title of president of the Womens Christian Temperance Union.

Carrie married Luther Roy Colyer - you can continue her story with the link Carry Ruth Swails and Luther Roy Colyer.