Becky Bowman Swearinger, who sang with Mother Maybelle, Helen, June and Anita during the 1950s, died Friday, April 4. She was a very nice person. I treasure the memories of the visits I had with her.

Here is her obituary.

Vicki Langdon



Rupp Funeral Home

Rebecca "Becky" L. Swearinger
(July 19, 1927 - April 4, 2008)
Rebecca L. “Becky” (Bowman) Swearinger 80 of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Friday, April 4, 2008, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Becky was born July 19, 1927 in Kansas City Kansas to Jake and Claudine Bowman. At an age where most girls were picking out prom dresses she left Kansas City to pursue a career in music. She was an active part of the DeKalb Folks Shows and performed on many area radio shows, playing her bass fiddle, guitar and various other instruments she “taught” herself to play. When a need arose for an extra “Carter Sister”, she packed up her bass, stopped along the way and bought an accordion and headed for Nashville... by the time she arrived, she was playing the accordion, like a pro. What started out as a six month job turned into 4 years touring with the Carter Family and other stars of the day and into a lifetime friendship. On April 22, 1956 she marred Ed “Jewell” Swearinger and enjoyed 32 glorious years together. The music didn’t stop there but changed from singing for men to serving the Lord. Becky directed adult choirs at King Hill Baptist Church in interim capacities and worked with both youth and children’s choirs for many, many years. Her legacy of teaching others to love God’s music will continue for many generations to come as many of her former “Students” are now serving in Christian leadership capacities. Becky was preceded in death by her husband Ed, her parents Jake and Claudine Bowman, a brother John Bowman, and far too many family members and dear friends. We imagine there will be quite a reunion in heaven upon her arrival there. She is survived by her daughters; Linda Warner, Julann Ketchem, Lorna Davis and husband Bobby all of St. Joseph. a brother Paul Bowman and wife Ruth, Sister Emily Smith, sister-in-law Norma Bowman all of Kansas City, sister-in-law Betty Campbell and husband Bob of New Braunfels, TX, brother-in-law George Jorgensen of Montrose SD. Grandchildren Tammy Miller, Rich and Shelly Warner, Kelli Veal, Casey and Jase Rivera, Molly Ketchem and Jacob Davis. Great Grandchildren are Jake and Abbi Palmer, Harold Jr, Dustin and Josh Miller, Heather, Jason and David Bennett, Kilsi Keesler and last but not least Talena Martin (“Gah-Mah’s” entertainer, nurse and buddy). Becky will be sorely missed by all those who knew and loved her, but we know for certain she is with the One she so faithfully served for so many years.. “Well done, my good and faithful servant”! To honor her, we will live as she lived her life:”Pressing On.. toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM Monday, at the Frederick Blvd Baptist Church, the interment will be at the Sugar Creek Cemetery, Rushville, MO. the family will receive friends from 2-4 PM Sunday at the Frederick Blvd Baptist Church.

Thank You very much Vicki for posting this, as Becky will surely be missed by many.
Prayers and Good Thoughts going out to her family.

On a lighter note, (correct me if Im wrong) I believe June named Rebecca Carlene Carter after Rebecca "Becky" Bowman.

Yes, June did name Carlene after Becky. Thanks so much for this posting.

What a wonderful obituary.. Says so much about the person she was..

Thanks for posting that inspiring obituary. She touched many lives --- may she rest in peace.

Hi, i am kinda new here. i was looking around on the comp & i found this site. Anyways, i am Becky's grandson... Casey. I have my grandmother's talent of playing the piano by ear. I played at her funeral. My own song and Feeling at home in the presence of Jesus. My grandmother was/still is a Faithful Warrior. I jusst wanted to let everyone know.

Casey

PS. She was my role model & everything to me. Still having a hard time. Thank you guys.

Hey everyone. The St.Joe Newspress did a story on my on my grandmother.


--Woman had long life devoted to music of all kind--

If three words could sum up a life, they would be Lord, family and music for Rebecca (Becky Bowman) Swearinger, who died last Friday.

She didn’t come from a musical family, but people said that young Rebecca Bowman had a talent for music. Miss Bowman taught herself to play all sorts of instruments, including the accordion, clarinet, flute, guitar, piano, tuba and big bass fiddle. She hit the road to pursue a musical career in 1944 with her guitar.

She got her start because all the men were serving in World War II, said Lorna Davis, a daughter.

In 1949, when people in and around DeKalb, Mo., decided to open a down-home county music show called DeKalb Folks, she found another place for her talents, said Julann Ketchem, another daughter. The show was a hit for the community and KRES radio in St. Joseph.

Then, in the early 1950s, Mother Maybelle Carter and the Carter Sisters needed a musician and put out a call for an accordion player. The gig was for four months.

“Momma” got the job, bought an accordion and by the time she got to Nashville was playing that thing well enough to go into a recording studio with the Carter Sisters, Mrs. Davis said.

Four months turned into four years and a lifelong friendship with the Carters.

Traveling on the road with the Carter Sisters, they performed on stage with acts that included the young Elvis Presley, Hank Williams Sr. and Patsy Cline.

In 1956, she made up her mind to retire and marry Ed Swearinger. They’d met at a DeKalb Folks program.

There was never any doubt that he was her true love, Ms. Ketchem said.

And she gave her music to the Lord, Mrs. Davis said.

For many years, Mrs. Swearinger worked with youth choirs at King Hill Baptist Church. She also taught her children, grandchildren and great-grandchild how to sing.

Mrs. Davis said her earliest memories are sitting on top of the piano. The daughter sang as her mother’s fingers danced across the keys. Before Mrs. Swearinger, 80, died last week, she got to hear Talena Rose Martin, her 2½-year-old granddaughter, sing.

“Momma smiled from one ear to the other,” Mrs. Ketchem said. “My legacy seems to be taking over the choir because music was so much a part of our lives.”

If you want to learn more about Mrs. Swearinger’s career with the Carter family, read her recollections in the book “Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone” by Charles Hirshberg and Mark Zwonitzer.


(Lorna Davis is my mother, Julann Ketchum is my aunt, Telena is my 2nd cuzin)

Just informing you.

Thanks again.

It is so wonderful of you to share this with us, Cssey. Welcome and I hope you become a regular here. I read that book and though Becky had to be a heck of a talent. Loved her recollections of that time.

I echo Joan (Jackson120's) response. We would love to have you come back often, enjoy the site and the people, and share more wonderful stories with us. June must have thought a lot of your grandmother, as she named her first child after her.

I am so very sorry for you loss but so glad to have you on the Forum with us.. Please keep coming back.. We love anyone who loves the Cash/Carters!!

I bet you have some GREAT stories that we have not heard yet.. Please share...

Rest In Peace, another part of history gone.

Paul