Page 54 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2017- Online Magazine
P. 54
HONORING SENIORS
All She Can for As
Long As She Can
BLANCHIE
SWISHER by Jane Bromley
onto a horse-drawn wagon to still wears her WBC ring.) And her
haul to the German syrup mill in daughter produced a list of many
New Braunfels. She attended high continuing education certificates,
school in Austin but returned to the including public speaking and
farm and worked as a maid in San gerontology studies. She has
everal years ago, I made a new Marcos. In 1945, Blanchie moved functioned as a teacher most of her
friend at an MLK rally. Mrs. to Lubbock to attend Vogue Beauty adult life and is as confident and
SClara Lenard then introduced College. She supported herself self-assured speaking to a crowd
me to her good friend, Blanchie and paid her own tuition by doing as she is one-on-one. In fact, many
Swisher. Clara is petite and soft- housework. would describe her as a “preacher.”
spoken; Blanchie is tall and, even
at 91, has a commanding persona. In 1946, she married Laviel Durham, The energetic woman has been
Clara and I heartily agreed that who had just finished serving active in her church, St. Luke
Mrs. Swisher should be included in his country in World War II. The Baptist, for decades. “Sister
Senior Link’s “giving back” issue. Durhams had four children: Bobby, Swisher” taught Sunday School as
“She has done so much for so many Alphonso (deceased), Travis, far back as anyone can remember
people,” Clara testified. And the and Cynthia, all of whom she is and has received countless
witnesses are abundant. very proud. She counted nine awards for her service in various
grandchildren (2 deceased) and 15 Christian work venues within the
Blanchie was born in Comal County great-grandchildren (2 deceased). Baptist General Convention. She
in 1926 to Grant and Beulah Harris, Laviel and Blanchie were married founded and led “The Prayer Vigil”
the third of nine children. She 20 years before he died in 1973. intercessory prayer group, which
attended a one-room school and She later married the Rev. Samuel met in her home every Tuesday for
worked hard as a girl, stripping cane Swisher, whom she has also many years.
and chopping, picking, and pulling outlived. However, Mrs. Swisher
cotton. “There’s a difference!” she has a reputation of being strong, Her daughter, Cynthia, was trying
pointed out. She also described independent and resourceful. Her to remember all the things her
helping her father load sugarcane degree from Vogue enabled her to mother had done, when Blanchie
own and operate Blanchie’s Beauty commented, “I like to help people!”
Salon in East Lubbock for over 60 The understatement made us
years. both smile. Blanchie served in jail
ministry for over 30 years. She
Blanchie always valued education participated in the Neighborhood
and sought it whenever and Friendly Visitors Program and as
wherever she could. Besides her a parent volunteer at Nat Williams
cosmetology degree, she earned a Elementary. She also served on the
degree in Occupational Education Cultural Art Committee at Williams
from Wayland Baptist College. (She and received the VIP award for Nat
54 Lubbock Senior Link
