Alva Zebendon Swilley
Alva Zebendon Swilley, 97, died Dec. 23, 2015.
Mrs. Swilley was born in Plant City in 1918.
She graduated from Plant City High School and then from Florida Southern College in 1939.
She married her late husband, Thomas Swilley, and served in the Navy Intelligence Department in Norfolk, Virginia. She received a Master’s degree from Vanderbilt University George Peabody Teacher’s College. She retired to Plant City from Miami High School after a 33-year teaching career. She was active in community organizations in Plant City, including First United Methodist Church, the Plant City Woman’s Club, Historical Society and the Photo Archives and History Center.
She is survived by her son, Thomas Swilley, of Portland, Oregon; daughters, Alice Smith, of Lakeland and Elizabeth Wunderlich, of Fredericksburg, Texas; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, Jan. 30, at the Estates Auditorium in Lakeland.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, 51 Main St., Enterprise, Florida, 32725.
Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.
