Member of the Coastal Mid-Atlantic Evangelical Presbyterian Church
In Memoriam
Mrs. Roberta Shaw DuRant "Boochie" Swearingen
12/13/1937 - 3/7/2025
Roberta Shaw DuRant "Boochie" Swearingen, age 87, died on March 7, 2025, in Tega Cay, SC. She was born on December 13, 1937, in Bishopville, SC, daughter of the late Mary Flinn Shaw DuRant and James Marion DuRant. She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty years, George Tillman Swearingen II; her brother-in-law, Morris Clinton Shirley; and sisters-in-law, Bobbie Swearingen Smith and Mary Sue DuRant.
She is survived by her loving children, Robin Swearingen Goodson and George Tillman Swearingen III (Kerry); grandchildren, Morgan Flinn Goodson, Ian Cooper Goodson, George Tillman Swearingen IV and Dargan Shaw Swearingen; her beloved brother, Marion Dwight "Son" DuRant; sister-in-law, Harriet Toney Shirley; and nine nieces and nephews.
Boochie cherished growing up in Bishopville. To her, it provided grounding and would always be home. She was a bit of a tomboy in her early years, relishing tree climbing and trying to keep up with her older brother, whom she idolized all of her days. She graduated from Bishopville High School as class salutatorian, having played basketball, been a cheerleader, sung in musicals (the lead on occasion), and placed as second runner-up in the Miss Bishopville pageant. She embraced all of the beautiful things and people that made up small-town life centered on family, friends, and faith. As her grandkids and kids traveled all over the world, she would often wonder why they would go to all the trouble to travel so far when they could be in Bishopville in just a few hours.
She was a woman who dealt with hard things with dignity and strength. She lost her father at 17, just before graduating from high school, a loss that she carried for her whole life and one that made her fiercely protective and supportive of her own mother. She stayed close to home for college and graduated from Limestone College in three years with a teaching degree. She went on to teach elementary school in Beaufort, SC and Columbia, SC. During her early teaching years, a trip home with her friend Harriet would lead her to the love of her life, Harriet's older brother, George. After their wedding, Boochie and George moved to Norman, Oklahoma, for George to go to graduate school, then to Aiken, SC, where Robin was born, then to Charlotte, NC, where George (III) was born, and they raised their family. They lived in Charlotte for almost 30 years. In retirement, Boochie and George came back to Bishopville and redid her beloved childhood home. Eventually, declining health brought her back to Charlotte to be closer to family.
Boochie never met a stranger, making friends wherever she went and endearing herself to people of all ages. She volunteered at her children's schools and at church. She loved being a homemaker and was a wonderful Southern cook. While Boochie dearly loved her family, the household pets were always held in the highest regard. She made everyone feel welcome in her home, and if you left her home hungry or thirsty, it was most certainly not her fault. She wanted to know about your life, your troubles, and support you. Friends of her children ate many impromptu meals around her table or standing in her kitchen, always accompanied by her sweet tea. She was proud of her children, her four grandchildren, her nieces and nephews, and her extended family. She celebrated their accomplishments and encouraged them when they had disappointments. She was strong, opinionated, loyal, kind, competitive, funny, and generous. In her latter years, when she was confined to a wheelchair and no longer had a kitchen, she was still known for her hospitality. Like her mother, she always had a bowl of candy and snacks ready for visitors. In her special way, she built many new friendships, including an extensive group of people in her assisted living facilities who viewed her as a grandmother, favorite aunt, or mother figure. Many grieve the loss of the unique and memorable force that was Boochie.
The family greatly appreciates the love and care provided to Boochie by the staff of Wellmore of Tega Cay, Sunrise on Providence, and Via Hospice.
A celebration of Boochie's life will be held at 11 o'clock on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1000 E. Morehead Street, Charlotte, NC, with a reception following the service. A brief graveside service will be held at 1 o'clock on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at the Bishopville Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 215 S. Main Street, Bishopville, SC.
Memorials may be made in her honor to Via Hospice of Fort Mill (viagiving.org) or to Bishopville Presbyterian Church (bishopvillepc.com).
PURPOSE (Why we exist)
Bishopville Presbyterian's purpose is to glorify God—to make Him recognizable through us— that others might come to believe on Him.
Matthew 5:13-14
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
VISION STATEMENT (What we value)
to go and make disciples of all people in Bishopville and into the world in obedience to Jesus Christ's commands.
Matthew 28:18-20
...18 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
MISSION STATEMENT (What we do)
making disciples, sharing the Gospel, serving others
Matthew 9:37-38
37 “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
John 12:26 "Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be..."
John 15:8 "This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."
Older Adult Sunday School is held in the Session room,. Our Younger Adult SS and our older youth are upstairs in the education building, each Sunday @ 9:45 a.m.
Prior to Worship, we have a light Coffee fellowship, in the Fellowship Hall at 10:30 a.m.
Worship Services are on Sunday's @ 11:00 a.m.
Nursery available
Kids for Christ “Israel Mission”
Please pick up a bank from the Bell Tower Room and help our kids. Banks will be collected every 6 months on the 2nd Sunday's of May & November. Donations support various causes that share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to indigent Jewish people in Israel and around the world.
All proceeds are donated to Jewish Voice Ministries
Thank you to everyone who continues to help with this mission!!!
Samaritan Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes: The kids for Christ need the following for the shoeboxes: spoons, toys, cups, bowls, bar soap, coloring books, notebooks, postage donations ($10/box). DO NOT include any warfare items. Please note OCC on all monetary gifts (make checks payable to BPC). Shoebox gift deadline will be published later.