Shirley Swanner

Shirley Mae Holden Porter Swanner passed away at her home in Covington, La., on Wednesday, October 7 ^th .  She is survived by her son, Garland Eric Porter; her daughter-in-law, Armesa Porter; her grandchildren, Garland Alec Porter, Erica Porter, and Erin Porter; her brother, Charles Holden; her sisters, Loretta Jones, Hilda Sapera, Peggy Holden, and Jane Dees; and her many nephews and nieces.  Shirley’s departed brothers were Horace “Red” Holden, Lee Roy Holden, Julius Holden, Melvin Holden, and Tommy Holden.  Her departed sisters were Winona Holden, Leona Holt, Evelyn Tyson, and Eloise Frere.

Shirley was the 7 ^th of 15 children born to Percy and Vernie Holden of Covington, on Friday the 13 ^th , August 1937.  Shirley graduated from Covington High School and earned a scholarship to the Charity Hospital School of Nursing.  She worked as a Registered EEG Technician.

Shirley was intelligent, honest, outspoken, and always willing to help others.  As a teenager, she enjoyed training horses to jump fences—often without warning her brothers and sisters.  As a young woman, she enjoyed bowling—once bowling a 260.  As a middle-aged woman, she enjoyed reading romance novels.  As a retiree, she enjoyed solving word puzzles, playing electronic poker, and spending time with family.

Shirley met her first husband, Garland Eugene Porter, while living in the New Orleans French Quarter.  She was widowed in 1966.  She also met her second husband, Roland Swanner, in New Orleans and was widowed in 1991.

Services will be held at Bagnell & Son Funeral Home, in Covington, on Saturday, October 10 ^th .  Viewing will be from 10am to 12pm and the service will begin at 12pm.  Shirley’s final resting place will be at Lake Lawn Cemetery in New Orleans.