BLAIRSVILLE – Dorla Jean (Farris) Swallows, 91, of Blairsville, IL passed away on Monday, January 22, 2024, at her home. She was born on April 10, 1932, to William Farris & Lula Mae (Vaughn) Farris in the Bottoms of Hall Creek near Blairsville. On June 13, 1953, she married George Swallows, who survives.
Jean had worked as a seamstress at the Elder Manufacturing shirt factory in McLeansboro, and had worked as a retail clerk for 8 years in California. She was a former member of the Congregational Christian Church in Blairsville.
Jean enjoyed crocheting, quilting, gardening, and growing indoor & outdoor flowers. She also enjoyed camping, fishing, and traveling to and attending craft shows. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the loves of her life. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and she will be dearly missed.
Jean is survived by her husband George Swallows of Blairsville, a daughter Debra Jean Lowman & husband Ray of Blairsville, a grandson Jason Lowman of Weston, WI and his children Sydney Jean Lowman and Addison Kay Lowman; a grandson Brian Lowman & wife Heather of Hoodville, IL and their daughter Ezabella MayeJean Lowman; a daughter in law Cindy Swallows of Franklin, TN and her children Melanie Renee Trattner & husband Glenn and their children Abigail Ruby Trattner, and Lila Rose Trattner – all of Franklin, TN; and Joshua Michael Swallows & wife Stephanie of Franklin, TN and their children Caleb Daniel Swallows and Faryn Ann Swallows; a daughter Velda Renee Ridosh & husband Mickey of Simi Valley, CA; a daughter Ritha Fern Singer & husband Joseph of Fayetteville, NC; a grandson Logan Ryan Singer & wife Stormy of Fayetteville, NC and their children Jonah Remy Singer, Noah Wade Singer, and Luke Warren Singer; a granddaughter Taylor Nicole Singer of New York, and a granddaughter Morgan Ashley Singer of Fayetteville, NC; two brothers: Dee Farris of Peoria, IL and Lonnie Farris & wife Clara of Blairsville; 3 sisters Nelma Lee Allen of Blairsville, Gracie Spaulding of McLeansboro, and Kay Lowry of Benton, IL; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents William & Lula Mae Farris, a son Larry Farren Swallows, and a brother Ronald Dean Farris.
Funeral services for Dorla Jean (Farris) Swallows will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 28, 2024, at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro, with Pastor Jacob Gray officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Gholson Funeral Home. Interment will follow the funeral service at Hopewell Cemetery in McLeansboro, IL.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and will be accepted at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro.
Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gholsonfuneralhome.com.