Erma Jean Swindoll, 88, breathed her last breath at 6:20 p.m. on March 27, 2019, in Miami, Florida. She was born in Houston, Texas, on Dec. 10, 1930, to Erma Hughes and Alonzo Allison Hensley. She had one brother, Karl Virgil Hensley, who was five years her senior. She obtained a bachelor's degree from Mary Hardin Baylor University and taught middle school English for a few years. In July 1952 she met the love of her life, Orville Swindoll, at a church meeting through her college friend, Luci Swindoll, who happened to be his sister. Orville and Erma Jean were drawn to each other by their shared faith and devotion to serving Jesus Christ wherever He led them. They were married on Dec. 19, 1952.
In November 1959, they moved to Resistencia, Chaco, in the northern part of Argentina where a spiritual revival was taking place. They went as missionaries with the goal of teaching Biblical truths to a rapidly growing number of believers. In the 31 years they lived in Argentina, they ministered not only in Resistencia but also in Santa Fe and Buenos Aires, and frequently made trips to minister in other Spanish-speaking countries as well. They moved back to the USA in 1991 where they continued reaching out in ministry to Spanish speakers in Miami, Florida, and in other countries.
Erma Jean was known for her gentle spirit, her kindness, her willingness to listen, her strong desire to help others, her bold faith, and her humility. She was devoted to her husband and children, and she welcomed countless others into her home, both as surprise guests as well as long-term visitors. She faced many different challenges in her life, but her faith, courage, and adaptability served her well to get through every one of them, blessing those around her in the process.
Erma Jean is survived by her husband of 66 years, Orville Earl Swindoll; three daughters and one son, Erma Lovell, Julia Jean, Gloria Ann, and David Earl; 19 grandchildren, Carolina, Julieta, Cecilia, Ana, Desiree, Michelle, Jessica, Andrew, Johanna, Valerie, Melody, Bryan, Alan, Mark, Jeffrey, Spencer, Grace, James, and William; 15 great-grandchildren, Sophia, Christian, Camila, Nathan, Ana, Leah, Jesse, Valerie, Amanda, Emilie, Keanu, Sienna, Enzo, Noam, and Nico; and two great-granddaughters who are due this year.
There will be a viewing and memorial service on Tuesday, April 2, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Van Orsdel Funeral Home, 11220 N Kendall Drive, Miami. On Wednesday, April 3, the burial will take place at Caballero Rivero Dade South Cemetery, 14200 SW 117 Avenue, Miami, FL, at 11:00 a.m. Cars will leave in a procession from the funeral home at 10:00 a.m.
*All obituaries are submitted by family and friends of the deceased.
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