Judy McFerron

(From Brown-Winters Funeral Home)

Julianna, "Judy", (Swadley) Davis-McFerron, of Miami, Oklahoma went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Freeman Health System in Joplin, Missouri. She was born July 29,1940 at the Muskogee Baptist Hospital in Muskogee, Oklahoma to Guy Swadley Jr. and Ruby (Palmer) Swadley, of Eufaula, Oklahoma.

Judy, a devout follower of Jesus Christ, was a loving daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother. She became a Christian at Vacation Bible School in 1952 at First Baptist Church, Eufaula, OK and was baptized by Reverend V.O. Baldwin.

She graduated from Eufaula High School in 1958, attended Oklahoma Baptist University and later graduated from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She married Larry E. Davis, an OBU graduate from Miami, OK on September 17, 1961. 

They established their home east of Miami on a third-generation family-owned farm, now known as "Twin Rivers Grain and Cattle". They were blessed with two wonderful children, Juli Diana Davis and Joseph Alan Davis and was deeply devoted to her beloved family. Larry preceded her in death after 57 years of marriage on February 3, 2019, and her son Joseph Alan Davis preceded her in death on November 22, 2019. Judy was preceded in death by her father, Guy Swadley Jr., on October 18, 1980, and her mother, Ruby Palmer Swadley on August 10, 2015.

Judy taught elementary school at Wyandotte Public School for 21 years. During her career at Wyandotte, she served as President and Treasurer of the Wyandotte Education Association. She was voted Wyandotte Public School "Teacher of the Year" in 1984 by her peers and was elected as "Oklahoma Education Association Zone 16 District Teacher of the Year" by the State Teacher of the Year Screening Committee.

After retiring from Wyandotte Public School in 1998, she served as a teacher and Principal of Green Country Christian School, a new private school, housed at First Baptist Church of Miami, OK. Judy said, "It was indeed a blessing to be hired as the first teacher in the startup of a new school." She served in the school from 2000 to 2003 and said she loved the children she taught and enjoyed all her years in the teaching profession.

She was an active member of the Oklahoma Retired Educators Association and the Ottawa County Retired Educators Association. She was honored for her years of dedication and service to the teaching profession by being selected by the Ottawa County Educators Association as a “Very Important Member" of the OCEA for 2013. She was also an active member of the Miami, Oklahoma Twentieth Century Club.

Judy was a member of the First Baptist Church of Miami from 1961 and faithfully served the Lord there her entire married life, raising her family and serving as a Bible teacher for 50 years, singing in the Worship Choir, working in Vacation Bible School, and serving on numerous committees. Her love for the Lord and her family was most important in her life. Her faith carried her through many of life's difficulties and was the core of her life and motivation. 

She had a selfless, caring heart to everyone she met and always put the needs of others above herself. Everything she accomplished was done with kindness and determination. She was a strong support for Twin Rivers Grain and Cattle and a joy to her family, friends, colleagues, and students. Judy will be missed by the many lives she has touched.

Judy married Jerry Lee McFerron on October 24th, 2020. He survives her in their home in Miami, Oklahoma.

She is also survived by her daughter Juli Diana Davis of Miami, Oklahoma, grand daughter Sarah Jo Davis of Wyandotte, Oklahoma, grandson Guy Alan Davis of Joplin, Missouri, brother Guy Stephen Swadley and wife Beverly of Noble, Oklahoma, nephew Guy Andrew Swadley and wife Keona of Edmond, Oklahoma, sister-in-law Norma Sue Simpson and her daughters Laura Simpson of Duarte, California, and Sue Simpson of Clovis, California. She is also survived by many dear cousins on both sides of the family. Other survivors include her stepsons Jerry Wayne McFerron and wife Carrie of Tyler, Texas, Dale Andrew Mcferron and wife Allison of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Monte Scott McFerron and wife Lori of Neosho, Missouri; step grandsons, Samuel McFerron, of Missoula, Montana, Alan McFerron and wife Mia, of Joplin Missouri, Jared McFerron and wife Kelsey and their children Hazel and Sylvie of Dallas, Texas. Step granddaughter, Sidney and husband Spencer Smith and their children Rowan and Denver.

Visitation: Saturday, March 18th, 1:00 PM at First Baptist Church, 24th A street SW Miami, Oklahoma
Memorial Service: Saturday, March 18th, 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church, 24th A street SW Miami, Oklahoma
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Flowers are welcome, or in lieu of flowers contributions may be given to the following organizations:
The Larry Davis Agronomy Scholarship: NEO Foundation, 200 I street NE, Miami Ok 74354, 918.542.8441 or Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children: 3800 North May Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112, 405.942.3800

Friends and family may be sending the family notes of encouragement by viewing Judy's Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.