Barbara Ann Gantz Hemphill
Swift Gilmer, 93, formerly of
Hollow Rock, passed away
on March 17, in Bellevue,
Wash.
At her request, there will be
no services. Barbara will be
cremated by the Neptune
Society, and her ashes passed
to her older son.
Barbara was born in
Fairbury, Ill. to Howard
Stanley and Lucretia
(Colgrove) Gantz on Dec. 4,
- She graduated from
Methodist Hospital in
Indianapolis, Ind., with her
degree in nursing. She
married Victor S. Hemphill
in California; they divorced
in 1969. She worked as a
Registered Nurse for over 40
years at hospitals in
Louisiana, Massachusetts, California, Washington state,
and Tennessee. Later in life,
she was married to Frank J.
Swift, who after many years
of marriage preceded her in
death in 2002. As a widow,
she then married James C.
Gilmer, whom she’d known
for many years; they lived
happily until Jim passed
away in 2008. She was
involved in several social
activities in Tennessee,
including Second Sunday and
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Auxiliary. She was a
member of Hebron United
Methodist Church.
She spent much of her life
helping people in several
ways: as a nurse, as a
founding member of Second
Sunday and even by pulling
cars out of ditches
with her tractor. She loved
all things nature including
animals, gardening, the
outdoors! She will always
be known as a faithful friend
and servant of God.
Barbara was preceded in
death by each of her
husbands: Vic, Frank, and
Jim, and her siblings Howard
Stanley Gantz, Jr. and
Dorothy Leah Charles.
She is survived by her two
sons, Victor Stephen
Hemphill, Jr., of Redmond,
Wash. and John Howard
Hemphill, of Goldsboro,
N.C., along with 2
granddaughters, 5 step-
grandchildren, and 18 great-
grandchildren.
Memorials may be given to a
local chapter of the VFW
Auxiliary.
Barbara’s family wishes to
extend our sincere thanks to
Providence ElderPlace who
provided care for her, to Tina
Elecfi and the staff of Hope
Adult Family Home in
Bellevue, Wash., where
Barbara spent her final days,
and to members of Creekside
Covenant Church in
Redmond, Wash., who were
friends to the end.