Mary Beth Swanson died peacefully at her home in Midland, Texas, on April 14, 2004. Funeral services will be held at 9:00 am, Saturday, April 17, 2004 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel in Midland with Rev. William Daugherty, officiating. Mary Beth was born on May 1, 1930 in Dalhart, Texas to William Kinsey and Lola (Miller) Kinsey. She graduated in 1948 from Talpa High School, and as a young woman worked statewide as an office manager for Western Union. In 1954, she married the late Howard F. Swanson in Falfurrias, Texas, and settled in the Corpus Christi area. In 1963, Mary Beth, her husband, and her four children, settled in Camarillo, California. After her career as a homemaker, Mary Beth graduated from California Lutheran College in 1971, and began her career as an educator. She served twenty years as an instructor in the Special Education Department at Hueneme High School, being named "Teacher of the Year" by the Oxnard Union High School District in 1992. Shortly thereafter, Mary Beth retired, and moved with her husband to Midland, Texas.She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and daughter Lynn Ellen Castelan of Camarillo, California. Mary Beth is survived by a large family of three children, nine grandchildren, and five brothers and sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews. They are: daughters, Cynthia Swanson and Gayla Scheiern of Midland, son David Swanson, and his wife Oliviva of Corpus Christi, grandsons Bryan and Allan Scheiern of Midland, and Robert Scheiern of West Point, NY, granddaughter Tammie Hodge of Weatherford, granddaughter Stevie Swanson, and grandson Brent Swanson of Corpus Christi, son-in-law, Tony Castelan and grandsons Jordan and Alec Castelan of Camarillo, and granddaughter Sara Castelan of Bakersfield, CA. She is also survived by her sisters Nelda Gillihan, and her husband Ronnie, of Midland, Tye Stotts and her husband Dean, of Des Moines, Iowa, and brothers Walton Kinsey and his wife Ann, of Sweetwater, Don Kinsey and his wife Thelia, of Helena of OK., and Bert Kinsey of Brownwood. The family suggests memorials be made to: American Cancer Society, 2304 W. Wadley, Midland, Texas 79705 or to the Alzheimer's Association, 4400 N. Big Spring St., Midland, Texas 79705.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
