BRAZIL - Carol J. Crabb Swearingen, 82, went to be with her Lord and Savior January 31, 2021, at her home, surrounded by her family, following a brief illness.

She was born October 19, 1938, to Charles and Louise (Rightsell) Crabb in Terre Haute, IN. She attended Terre Haute elementary schools and was graduated from Garfield High School with the class of 1956.

She married Frederick M. Swearingen on November 27, 1977, who preceded her in death on November 20, 2014. Together they enjoyed holiday dinners and special gatherings with their blended families at their home in rural Brazil. They shared time together camping, watching the events of their children and grandchildren and meeting their friends for dinner at local restaurants.

Carol began working in the early 1970s in the Editorial Department of the Terre Haute Tribune. She was assigned various positions there as a reporter, feature writer and editor of the Women's Section. After her retirement, she worked for the Brazil Times as a reporter and feature writer for several years.

A charter member of the Best of Thymes Herb Society in Brazil, she enjoyed joining other members at gardening seminars and as volunteers at the annual Wabash Valley Herb Faire. As a Master Gardener, she devoted much time to planting and maintaining the Victory Garden in Terre Haute Deming Park, working faithfully on that project until recent months.

Over the years, she devoted many hours at First United Methodist Church where she and Fred were members, tending to church flower beds and helping with the church's various activities.

She was a volunteer with the Brazil Public Library Literacy Program for many years, always assisting with its used book sale fundraisers and volunteering at the county hospital gift shop.

Carol was an avid bowler and bowled many seasons in the Clay County Women's Bowling League. She loved good music, baseball especially the Cincinnati Reds, trips to New York City attending Broadway productions and visiting museums with family, her grand and great-grandchildren's sporting events, concerts in Forest Park, outdoor events, and the beauty of a sunrise or sunset, always ready to explore new places with family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; several members of the Swearingen family; and the father of her children, Jerry Thorlton.

Survivors include her children Tina Payne, Monrovia, IN; Jeff Thorlton (Naomi), Martinsville, IL; and Kenny Thorlton (Michael Pratt), Brookside, NJ; grandchildren, Tyler Payne (Katie), Cloverdale, IN; Chelsea Payne (Nick Powell), Monrovia, IN; Ashlee Perkins (Adam), Rosedale, IN; Alex Thorlton, Brazil, IN; great-grandchildren, Cooper Payne, Carter Payne, Cora Payne, Cloverdale, IN; Savannah Payne, Adelynn Parker, Oliver Powell, Monrovia, IN; AJ Perkins, Alyse Perkins, Rosedale, IN; Fred's children, Dean Swearingen, Brazil; Tom Swearingen (LeAnna), Florida; Jeff Swearingen (Tonya), Brazil; Jane Ann Garlit (Mike), Todd Swearingen (Natalie), grandchildren, Craig Swearingen, Cheri Warren, Jennifer Fraser, Lauren Swearingen and Caleb Swearingen; her brother, Larry Crabb (Sharon), Terre Haute, IN; brother-in-law, Don Swearingen (Karen), Clay City, IN; and numerous other relatives.

No services have been planned at this time. Cremation and burial are entrusted to French Funeral Home in Brazil. A family memorial gathering will be scheduled in the future. If you wish to honor Carol, the family asks that you plant a flower or tree, adopt a garden to maintain or share a walk at sunset with a friend in her honor.

www.frenchfuneralhome.com