Mary Swearingen Martin, 94, passed away Friday afternoon, July 17th, peacefully with family in Ohio, age and dementia finally took her home. Mary was born April 23, 1921 in Canaan Valley to the late Lorenzo and Emma Deglar Swearingen. She married Wendell Fankhauser of Parsons and later married Robert K Martin of Hambleton, both deceased. Mary is survived by her children, Michael Fankhauser of Leander, Texas, Linda Fankhauser Harwedel, Kenneth Martin of Streetsboro, Oh, Donna Fankhauser Clapper of Goose Creek, SC, David Martin of Willowick, Oh, a special niece Anna Lee Serafin of Lodi, Oh. & brother Jack Swearingen of Hambleton. She was preceded in death by brothers Fred, Robert, Brenton & Joe Swearingen. She is survived by 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Mary grew up in Hambleton and even though she lived other places throughout her life West Virginia was always home to her.
Mary was “Nana” to everyone, she was loved so much by her family and those she adopted as her family. She loved telling stories of growing up in Hambleton and even though they were hard times, she’d tell of the fun and mischievous things she and her brothers did. Some of her tales she’d have you believing when all of a sudden that laugh of hers came and when she laughed you laughed!
Nana adored her family and loved vacationing with them and friends. A favorite places was Canaan Valley, so peaceful and relaxing. Folly Beach, SC was another favorite, she always made time with her grandchildren finding neat shells, building sand castles and coloring “inside the lines”. She was also the champion of surf fishing with the biggest smile and a fish or two on her line. She was also the luckiest when it came to finding 4 leaf clover from the tiniest ones to five & six leaf clovers.
Nana still read the newspaper every day and couldn’t wait for the Parsons Advocate every week, she still loved jigsaw puzzles and coloring. She just loved life and it wasn’t too long ago that she said “I’m not going anywhere I like it too much here!” Many times she’d say “I’m living to 100 and then I’m done”, she came pretty close.
She was never a complainer no matter how she felt she’d have that smile and she stayed the same sweet lady to the very end. She leaves her family and friends with so many memories and knowing they were truly loved. She would want everyone to know that she is happy and never far away, with our memories she is “only a smile away”! She was such a big part of our lives and we will miss her very much!
She is finally coming home! A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, August 17 at Canaan Valley State Park. There’s a family cemetery below the lodge near the pool. She wanted her cremains buried by her mother.