Dorothy Maxine Swanagan

Dorothy Maxine Swanagan, born Beula Mae Andrews on August 4, 1939, in Fordyce, Arkansas, was the beloved daughter of Isador and Clara Mae Andrews. She was the eldest of ten children, a role she embraced with strength, love, and a deep sense of family throughout her life.

In the 1950s, Maxine moved to Portland, Oregon, where she graduated from Jefferson High School in the Class of 1957. During high school, with the help of her principal, she legally changed her name to Dorothy Maxine, a name she proudly carried throughout the rest of her life. On April 16, 1959, Maxine married the love of her life, Sammie Louis Swanagan Jr., whom she met at Dawson Park in Portland. 

Together they built a loving home and were blessed with two children, Carla Yvette Swanagan and Anthony Jerome Swanagan.After beginning her life as a wife and mother, Maxine pursued her passion for caring for others by earning her nursing degree in Portland and becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). She began her nursing career at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington,before continuing her work at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma. Her compassion, dedication, and gentle spirit made nursing a natural calling. After several years in healthcare, Maxine made a career change and, in 1961, joined Pacific Northwest Bell. She relocated to California, where she became a longtime Bay Area resident and faithfully served the company until her retirement in 1996. 

Following her retirement, Maxine settled in Mount Vernon, Washington, where she embraced the simple joys that brought her the greatest happiness. She had a lifelong passion for gardening, fishing, scenic road trips, and sightseeing. She loved spending quiet afternoons working on crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and jigsaw puzzles. Maxine was a lover of music especially Blues music, she would play it out loud in her car on road trips and would often go see shows in person. She was also an excellent cook who lovingly prepared meals that brought her family together around the table. In her younger years, she enjoyed sewing and made many of her own dresses. She also had a passion for fashion and cosmetology, and her elegance and confidence led her to model in Ebony Fashion Shows as a member of the Tacoma Links women's organization.

Above all, Maxine was a woman of unwavering faith. She loved reading her Bible and found peace and strength in God's Word throughout her life. One of her favorite scriptures, and a verse she often quoted, was "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Those words reflected the faith, comfort, and grace that guided her throughout her life.

Later in life, Maxine returned to Portland, Oregon, where she lived with her daughter, surrounded by the love and care of her family.Maxine will be remembered for her adventurous spirit, quiet strength, impeccable sense of style, generous heart, and unconditional love for her family. Whether tending her garden, preparing a favorite meal, planning the next road trip, or sharing words of faith, she made those around her feel welcomed, cared for, and deeply loved. Her warmth, wisdom, resilience, and gentle presence touched everyone who knew her, and her legacy will live on through the generations she leaves behind.

She is lovingly survived by her daughter, Carla Yvette Swanagan; her son, Anthony Jerome Swanagan; her grandsons, Chris Prevost II, Anthony Swanagan Jr., and Sean Prevost; her brothers, Phillip Johnson, Walter Johnson, and Stressla Johnson; and ahost of beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.Though she is no longer with us, Dorothy Maxine Swanagan leaves behind a life beautifully lived—one rooted in faith, family,service, kindness, elegance, and love. 

She will be deeply missed, forever cherished, and lovingly remembered."The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."Psalm 23:1