Obituary for Donna Swearingen

MRS. DONNA LEIGH STONE SWEARINGEN, age 61, of Chester, GA, passed away on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at her residence.

 Funeral services will be held at 3:00PM, Sunday, November 16, at Southerland Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Trey Benton officiating, with interment in Pine Level Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery.

 Donna was born on July 8, 1964, in Warner Robins, GA, to the late Deanna Elaine Wilkinson Stone and Rev. Thomas Lee Stone. She was of the Baptist Faith, a 1982 graduate of Wilcox County High School, and attended Berry College in Rome. She worked for many years for the Georgia Department of Corrections as a Deputy Warden of Administration at the Milan State Prison and later for Wilcox State Prison as a Business Process Coordinator. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren who called her “Granny”. She loved laying out in the sun and tanning by the pool, fishing, and taking care of her animals. Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Stepson, Jason Swearingen, and Brother, Andy Stone.

 She is survived by her Husband of 30 years – Wendell Swearingen of Eastman; Sons – Ricky DeVane (Hillary) of Eastman and Ryan DeVane (Samantha) of Kathleen; Stepsons – Jody Swearingen (Tonia) of Cordele, James Swearingen of Chester, and Brian Swearingen (Iris) of McRae; Grandchildren – Jason Swearingen (Breanna), Hunter Swearingen, Eric Swearingen, Colby Swearingen, Noah Mulkey, Raylan DeVane, Jakob DeVane, Khloe DeVane, Bentley DeVane, Mira DeVane, Camden DeVane, and Maggie Barlow; Sister – Cheryl Barefoot (Johnny) of Seville, GA; Brother – John Stone (Angela) of Dallas, GA; Sister-in-law – Brenda Carpenter of Kathleen; Several nieces and nephews.

 The family may be contacted at the Swearingen residence, 2099 Plainfield Rd., Chester, and will receive friends in Southerland Funeral Chapel from 2:00PM-3:00PM Sunday, November 16.