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.
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9 Condolence(s)
Elsie Cole
Friday, March 18, 2022
I was blessed to have Joyce as my roommate at Baylor and to be matron of honor in her wedding. She lived such a dedicated life. I cherish my memories of the times we had together. My prayers are with her family at this difficult time. Such a beautiful service for a beautiful life!
Jenny Faires
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Denise,
As I watched the pictures of your sweet Momma, I had tears in my eyes with a smile on my face. Her smile was contagious and her love for her family was evident in these wonderful memories. Thank you for sharing her with us.
Much Love,
Jenny
Barbara Dee Peterson
Monday, March 14, 2022
I loved both your mother and your father. As new missionaries with a 7 year old son and an almost 2 year old son arriving in Korea in 1974, we spent our first night in the Swedenburg home. When your mother found out that Brant would be 2 the next day, she baked and decorated a snowman cake, planned a party and had the missionary kids in Seoul over for his birthday. I will always love and appreciate your mother for that and for many other reasons. Uncle Arnold always loved visiting with your father and learning from him about churches and pastors in Korea. You had very special parents!
Love, Aunt Barbara
Gail and Rene Signer
Monday, March 14, 2022
We are so sorry for your loss and like to express our sympathy to you.
Joyce was a very special person in our lives, and so was James, her husband. He was the pastor of the International Southern Baptist Church on Yang-Min-Shan mountain near Taipei, Taiwan, when we first met them in 1977. They were instrumental in deepening our love for Christ and the Bible. We looked forward to James's weekly sermons that were always so meaningful, and we appreciated Joyce's loving involvement with the women's groups. We are deeply indebted to both of them.
Gail and Rene Signer
John & Nancy EMMONS
Saturday, March 12, 2022
We know that Joyce is at rest with our Heavenly Father and we sure missed her when she moved to Springdale, Missouri. Joyce and I, John, taught young singles together and she was a delightful teacher. Her face shined with the love of Jesus. Her care for people was so wonderful. She was a blessing to everyone in our church. She will always be remembered and missed.
Juanita Reyna
Friday, March 11, 2022
I want to express our deepest sympathy and prayers to the entire family. We met this sweet beautiful lady about 30 years ago and I'm telling you fell in love with her and her loving spirit right away. I know you all will miss her so much, but just know this , we say we lost her, we didn't , she is not lost, she is in Heaven rejoicing with the angels no doubt. Much Love, Hugs and prayers and just know, you will see her again one day. We love you all very much and are so sorry for your grief . THE REYNA FAMILY
Robin Colvert
Friday, March 11, 2022
We are so sorry for your loss. You are all on our prayers.
Craig and Robin Colvert
Gail Arnold Wood
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
David and I didn’t know Mrs. Swedenburg well but from the times we were around her it was obvious she was a very special lady.
Mike&Wilma Thomas
Monday, March 7, 2022
Our prayers and love are with you at this time at the loss of your mom.She was a beautiful lady