of Hot Springs Village, AR

July 12, 1932 - March 6, 2022

Joyce Marie Hawk Swedenburg, 89, was born at home to the proud parents of Robert and Helen Hawk in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, July 12, 1932. She went home to her Savior on March 6, 2022, in Springfield, Missouri. She earned her Associate of Arts degree from Southwest Baptist College in Bolivar, Missouri, where she was voted most intelligent female student of her graduating class. She then graduated cum laude from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in accounting. There she met her husband, James Swedenburg and they were married October 31, 1954.

Joyce spent her childhood living between Tulsa, Oklahoma and Rich Hill, Missouri. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at age 9 and as a young girl, while attending summer camp at Falls Creek Encampment in Oklahoma she surrendered her life for service to God. The famous Dr. R G Lee was the camp pastor that week. She had no idea that the commitment would eventually take her around the world to South Korea and Taiwan as a missionary.

She was a wonderful pastor's wife and missionary, serving wherever she was needed in churches in Alabama, Texas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, Arkansas. She had an extraordinary gift of hospitality and used her accounting skills many times throughout her ministry. Her cheerful personality and beautiful smile made everyone she came into contact with feel loved and accepted. Most recently, at Barcelona Road Baptist Church, she served as a Sunday School teacher, was a member of the choir and served as choir secretary, and church clerk. She also served on the Deacon Selection and Pastor Search Committees, Church Council, Central Baptist Association Executive Board, and Faith Visitation team. She faithfully volunteered for the prayer room ministry, VBS, and the Jackson House ministry, as long as she could. She also served as financial coordinator of HSV Christian Women's Club and personally discipled many women through the years. Everything she did seemed to be with the intent of sharing with others the love of Christ.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and infant great-grandson, Lachlan Lyle Swedenburg. She is survived by her son, Michael, daughter-in-law, Terri Swedenburg; son, Steve Swedenburg; daughter, Denise Overton, and her son-in-law, Michael Overton. Also surviving her are her grandchildren, Taylor Swedenburg, Trevor Swedenburg, Mya Swedenburg, Madison Rushing, her husband Wesley Rushing, and Rachel Overton. She is also survived by her brother, Bob Hawk, sister-in-law Martha Hawk, sister-in-law Martha King, and sister-in-law Mary Swedenburg, as well as nieces Pamela Bates, Lanna Scheer, Beth King, Cindy King, Kedra Kroeger, Jenna Kuntz and nephew Justin Hawk.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 11th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Roller-Alcoa Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 12th at 9:30 a.m. at Roller-Alcoa Funeral Home. Interment will be at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Bryant, Arkansas.

Memorials may be made to Barcelona Road Baptist Church (mission fund), The SBC International Mission Board or The Jackson House in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Alcoa Funeral Home
6700 Alcoa Road
Benton, AR  72019
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com