Wilma Ann Swiney

Andover, Virginia Wilma Ann Eldridge Swiney entered into the arms of God on April 2, 2014. Born in Harlan Kentucky on October 12, 1949 to Minnie and Alvin Eldridge, Wilma served as a loyal and loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. She served her God faithfully and with vigor, from being a missionary, singing for her Lord, raising money for the ministry, visiting and assisting the elderly to hosting youth groups in multiple areas across the United States. She was of the Pentecostal faith. After raising her family Wilma returned to school to graduate in 1979 earning her diploma from Keokee High School. Wilma went on to receive her Underground Electrician Certification from Mountain Empire Community College this served her well and she was recognized as the state of Virginia’s first woman underground electrician. She was a proud member of the United Mine Workers of America, working for East Over Mining in St. Paul Virginia. Later in her life she became a loyal employee to Walmart in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, Department Head for Lawn and Garden. Wilma never met an unfamiliar face and loved working with the public. Cooking was one of Wilma’s favorite things to do. She reveled being able to cook a large meal and have all of her children and grandchildren running around and enjoying the wonderful food she was able to prepare for them. She was an excellent cook. Wilma Ann Eldridge Swiney was preceded in death by her father and mother, Alvin and Minnie Eldridge, and brother Bobby Eldridge. Survivors include her husband of 48 years, Jessie Calvin Swiney, Jr., loving daughter Lisa Ann Swiney Pennington and husband Jeremy T. Pennington of Appalachia, Virginia, and loyal son Jessie Calvin Swiney III and wife Elaine Kelly Swiney of Appalachia, Virginia. Seven grandchildren, Jessica and Charlie Rogers, Tishia and Justin Bentley, Savannah & Jonathan Lambert, and Jessie Calvin Swiney IV and Kisha Archer Swiney, Jeremiah Pennington, Isaiah Pennington and Kilea Pennington. Wilma was blessed with 7 great grandchildren. Two loving sister: Joyce Stubbs of Piney Flats, TN and Shirley Wright of Piney Flats, TN and one brother, Don Eldridge of Connecticut. The family will be receiving friends and family at Roy A. Green Funeral Home in Appalachia, Va. from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, April 4th, funeral services will take place at 8:00 pm with Brother Gary Swiney officiating. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 5th at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Family and friends will meet at the funeral home at 10 a.m. for the procession to the cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jessie Calvin Swiney IV, Justin Swiney, Tim Swiney, Jeremy T. Pennington, Charlie Rogers and Jonathan Lambert.