Jerrilyn Diane Swink, affectionately known as Jerry, passed away on December 26, 2024, at the age of 82. She was born on June 18, 1942, to Colata and Virgil Johns in Oklahoma City, OK. Jerry’s mother remarried when she was very young and she was raised by both her mother and stepfather, Carl Phillip Frey Jr., who she always considered to be her one true dad. Jerry had a sister, Taylucha Beamus, and a brother, Carl Phillip Frey III (Trey), whom she also loved dearly.
Jerry grew up in Oklahoma City and graduated from Putnam City High School in 1960. In her younger years she enjoyed spending time with family at her parents’ cabin at Lake Texoma, fishing with her daddy and water skiing.
Jerry met Richard Swink, the love of her life, on Memorial Day in 1962. They began dating and their love quickly blossomed. They married on December 21, 1963, and had a great life together for 61 years, living in places like Louisiana and Virginia Beach while Richard was in the Navy. They returned to their home state of Oklahoma after the Navy and lived in Ada, OK while Richard attended college. They expanded their family in 1967 with the birth of their daughter Kathi and again with the birth of their son Phillip in 1970. Upon Richard’s graduation, they moved to Oklahoma City.
During her life, Jerry’s work included secretarial work, being a dedicated homemaker, school volunteer, Mother’s Day Out and Daycare Teacher, and working in retail. She quit working to care for her ailing mother and then lovingly cared for her grandson’s while Kathi and her husband worked until they reached school age.
Jerry’s greatest roles however were that of a loving daughter, wife, mother, and especially grandma. She loved spending time with and supporting her children and grandchildren in all their activities. Her love for her family was evident in everything she did.
Jerry was loving, kind, sassy, had a great sense of humor, and wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. During her life, she enjoyed activities such as reading, especially to her grandchildren; staying up late; watching her favorite TV shows and soap operas; talking and playing games with family; traveling with Richard and meeting new people; Square Dancing; Being a Youth Sponsor, having garage sales, and shopping.
Jerry was preceded in death by her parents, sister, brother, and her treasured granddaughter Erika Nikole Swink.
She is survived by her loving husband, Richard Swink, her devoted son, Phillip (Kristi) Swink, and her cherished daughter, Kathi (Jimmy) Crawford. She is also survived by her grandchildren: McKenzie Crawford (fiancé Raj), Nikolas Swink, Braden Crawford (fiancé Kristen), Logan Swink, Caleb Crawford, Konnor Swink, and Kyelynn Swink, along with loving brother and sister in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and close family friends.
Jerry’s life was filled with love, warmth, and dedication to her family. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
Visitation for Jerry will be held on Thursday, January 2, 2025, from 1:00pm – 8:00 pm, with family present to receive guests from 5:00pm – 7:00pm, at Buchanan Funeral Service, 8712 N Council Road, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The funeral service will take place the following day, Friday, January 3, 2025, at 10:00am at Putnam City United Methodist Church, 5819 NW 41st St. Oklahoma City, OK 73122. Burial will follow immediately after the service at Chapel Hill Cemetery, 8701 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73162.
The service will be streamed on both the church’s Facebook page (Putnam City United Methodist Church) and website (pcumchurch.org).
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