Obituary of Swindell Lena Gladys Midgett

Gladys Swindell passed away on March 14, 2009 at age 96. The family will be accepting friends at Sellars Funeral Home in Lebanon on Monday, March 16, 2009 from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. and on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until service. The chapel service, conducted by Brother Danny Sellars and Brother W.L. Baker, is 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2009. Interment in Bethlehem Cemetery. Pallbearers: Special friend Fred Reeder, and nephews Sam Swindell, Jimmy Midgett, Johnny Midgett, Donnie Woosley, Teddy Woosley, and David Earl Bates. Honorary Pallbearers: Charles Albert Bell, Jack Bell, Harold Ingram, and Terry Ashe. Gladys was born in the Saulsbury Community in east Wilson County on February 25, 1913 to Leonard George and Vera Hobbs Midgett. At two years of age, she went to live with her grandparents John and Octavia Bell Oakley Midgett behind Good Hope Methodist Church in Saulsbury. Mrs. Swindell attended school at Walnut Grove School and Tuckers Cross Roads High School. While in high school, she met Charlie Sindell and married him in November of 1929. Their first child, David "Billy" Swindell, born in 1930, and second child, Linda Ann Swindell, born in 1938, were both delivered by Dr. John Tilley, the same doctor who delivered both Gladys and Charlie. The Midgett and Swindell familes have always been involved in politics. Charlie Swindell ran for Odie Bell Midgett's seat on the Wilson County Court. He was elected and served for twenty-six years. Billy Swindell also served for eight years. Paul Neal and Charlie Swindell bought the Tuckers Cross Roads store. Charlie and Gladys moved into the house behind the store and ran the store for several years before buying a farm in Saulsbury. Charlie was appointed to write warrants and do the board bill for Wilson County Sheriff Ed Maynard and continued to do this for several sheriffs. Meanwhile, Gladys became a cook for the Tuckers Cross Roads School. When the widow of Sheriff Harold Griffin, Roslian, became Trustee of Wilson County, Charlie started working in that office. Later, when he was elected as Trustee, Gladys worked in his office. She continued to work with Charlie, Joe Lasater, and John Majors for several years. Gladys was an active member of the Saulsbury Baptist Church, which she joined in her early teens. She taught the babies and toddlers Sunday School and loved every minute of it. Survivors include two children: David E. "Billy" (Kitty) Swindell and Linda Ann Swindell (Clay) Couch; grandchildren: Cathy (Dale) King, David (Teresa) Couch, Kelly (Wayne) Harris, and Stacy Swindell; great-grandchildren: Leanna (Gene) Kulas, Snapper King, Billy Wayne Harris, Layce Booker Swindell, Jessica Couch, and Addie Couch; and great-great-grandchildren: Anna Cate and Alek Kulas, Gracey and Clay King. She is preceded in death by husband Charlie Swindell. Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, 615.444.9393. Obits 615.758.8818.