Mary Elizabeth Swords

of Lehigh Acres, Florida departed this earthly life on January 9, 2020, while at home with her family and friends. Mrs. Swords was born in Pontiac Michigan May 15, 1961, to Irene Mae Durham and William Amory Durham. Mary gave her life to the Lord Jesus Christ when she was 18 years of age and attended South Eastern University with a Major in Christian Music and a Minor in Ministry. After Southeastern, Mary attended Family Worship Center in Lakeland, FL and served the body of Christ through her musical gifts, discipling single women in the church and working with the youth. At 31 years of age she began to think about marriage and the following year she met the love of her life (Michael Shayne Swords) at a church pot luck dinner. She told her close friends that night she was going to marry Michael. On December 26, 1996 Mary and Michael were married in Chattanooga, TN. She conceived on her honeymoon and the Swords received a gift from the Lord (Gideon Michael Swords, on September 21, 1997. She then moved to Wheaton College, in Wheaton, IL with her husband where they lived for six years. During this time, she worked supporting their family while he earned his Bachelors in Biblical & Theological Studies and Interdisciplinary Masters in Evangelism & Clinical Psychology. Mary’s life revolved around serving her family and serving others. When her husband completed studying at Wheaton College, they moved back to Florida, where she homeschooled Gideon until he graduated at 18. Mary knew no strangers and had a unique gift of drawing hurting souls into the loving arms of Jesus. There is no doubt, that on the day she left this life, she heard, “well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Mary leaves to cherish her memory, her spouse Michael, son Gideon, brother Tom (Josephine), brother Dale (Lynette) sister-in-law Delia Durham, sister-in-law Carol Durham, and many cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, a host of in-laws and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother Irene Mae Durham, father William Amory Durham, sister Susan, sister Terri, brother Bruce and brother Robert. Michael honors his wife describing her as a Proverbs 31, 10-12 wife. 10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. King James Version (KJV) In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make donations to The Swords Family GoFundMe Account. (https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-swords-family) This will be used to offset the last 3 ½ years of medical expenses, funeral expenses and debt incurred while Michael stayed home to care for Mary. Celebrating The Life of Mary, will be held Thursday, January 16, 2020 at 4:00 P.M. at Life Church, located at 11735 Plantation Road, Ft. Myers, FL 33966.