Death of Lois Elizabeth Swander, former missionary to Mexico

Global Ministries is saddened to learn of the death of Lois Elizabeth Swander, former missionary to Mexico.

1/19/1932 – 2/26/2012

Global Ministries was saddened to learn of the death of Lois Elizabeth Swander on February 26, 2012. 

Lois Grimes Swander was born on January 19, 1932, in Waurika, Oklahoma.  She attended the Oklahoma College for Women in Chickasha where she received the B.S. degree.  She attended Yale School of Nursing in New Haven, Connecticut, where she received the M.N. degree. 

Mrs. Swander worked in the departments of Church Development and Christian Women’s Fellowship of the United Christian Missionary Society and served as a nurse at the Inman Christian Center in San Antonio.  She and her husband, Courtney, were appointed to missionary service in Mexico in 1958 after having studied Spanish for one year in Costa Rica.

Mrs. Swander served the Disciples church in Aguascalientes, Mexico, for 35 years.  She was the director of the hospital, Sanatorio la Esperanza, which the church in Aguascalientes had established.  She also served at the Morelos Social Center in Aguascalientes where both she and her husband of 53 years, Courtney Swander, were involved in a multitude of programs ranging from English classes for children and adults, work with ministerial students and lay leaders, community development, and other social service programs.  Both initiated and ran a highly successful program for the aged.  They were also on several commissions and programs of the Association of Christian Churches in Mexico. 

In addition to their mission service, the Swanders were active in their local church, Aguascalientes Christian Church.  They were youth sponsors and Mr. Swander was an elder and Mrs. Swander was Chair of the property committee. 

A memorial service will be held at Eden Hill Community, New Braunfels, Texas, in their chapel at 10:00 a.m. on March 14.  Her ashes will be blessed and spread in the Prayer Garden at Hill Country Christian Church.  Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Swander’s sister, Mrs. Lucille Ash, 1990 Titus Street, San Diego, CA   92110-2146.  Gifts in memory of Lois, may be sent to Global Ministries, P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN   46206-1986.

Read tributes to Lois Elizabeth Swander.