Audra F. Swanson

Audra F. West Swanson, 90, formerly of Oak Hill, WV and an Albuquerque, N.M. resident since 1997, died Friday, April 28, 2006, after a lengthy illness. During World War II she moved from her hometown of Oak Hill to Elkton, Md., where she worked in a munitions plant. It was in Elkton that she met her husband who served in the European theater of the war. He was wounded and received the Purple Heart. While Audra had no children of her own, she helped raise three boys when their mother, a dear friend, was killed in an automobile accident. Those boys, now married with families of their own, have continued through the years to keep in touch with “Aunt Audie,” as they called her. After leaving Elkton following the death of her husband, Mrs. Swanson lived in Oak Hill for several years with a widowed sister. In 1997, after the death of her youngest brother, she moved to Albuquerque to be near her sister, Billie, and her late husband, Art. Mrs. Swanson was a good Christian and was for many years an active member of the Marantha Baptist Church in Elkton and the Jones Avenue First Church of God in Oak Hill. In her younger years, Audra loved to dance, especially the “jitterbug.” She was always an avid reader and a very good country cook. She enjoyed living in the Southwest and the Indian culture but never lost her love for the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. Surviving are her sister, Billie Strein of Albuquerque and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Mrs. Swanson was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer O. Swanson; her parents, Charles and Dora West; three brothers; and one sister. Mrs. Swanson's body was cremated. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, September 5, 2006 at 2 p.m. at the Woods Avenue Historical Cemetery (formerly Odd Fellows Cemetery), Oak Hill, with the Rev. Ralph Shupe officiating. Arrangements by French Mortuary, Albuquerque, N.M.