I never spent much time with Julia, even though we lived right across the road from each other for several years. You had to know Julia and her voice. She always reminded me of a Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood character in the Neighborhood Of Make-Believe, Lady Elaine Fairchilde. It was her voice that reminded me, loud and kinda scruffy. I just loved it because I loved Mister Rogers’.
A memory I have of Julia was when Uncle Bill and Mary were still alive and well. Uncle Bill and Mary were Julia’s parents. They would yell to each other instead of using a phone at times. I don’t recall an actual conversation between the two, other than just the loud yell or talk.
I think really the only time we truly interacted was right before my son was born. During that time, which was around the 2000 timeframe, she would walk over to her “Uncle Burl’s & Aunt Mamie Sue’s” after getting and checking their mail. She would sometimes bring them some prized tomatoes, mail, and at times just checkin’ in to say hello.
One day I was down visiting with my Mamaw and she walked around the corner of the house. Well, this particular evening Mamaw and I were talking about having my firstborn. Mamaw was so excited about it and once she saw Julia she just had to tell her the news. Well, this excited Julia just the same. They then begin asking what I thought it was going to be, a boy or a girl. I just looked at Julia and said, “It better be a boy.”. She then asked me, “Well, what’ll ya do if it’s not and it’s a girl?”. I just exclaimed, “I’ll put it back and let it cook some more.”. Both Julia and Mamaw didn’t know what to say but to just laugh, and from that point on that was the talking point. Once we found out it was a boy I think it relieved Julia, but she still talked about it with Mamaw up until her health declined. Mamaw would still bring it up almost every time she saw Coy. “Your daddy was gonna put you back if you were a girl. Did you know that?”
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Obituary
Julia Martha Coning Swaney – age 82 of Maryville passed away Saturday, February 9, 2019, at home surrounded by her family. Julia was a lifelong member of Mountain View Church of Christ (Christian). She loved working beside her husband Don on their farm and also helping others any time she could.
She was preceded in death 16 days ago by her husband of 63 years Don Edwin Swaney; parents, Bill and Mary Coning; brother-in-law, W. Gordon Swaney; nephew, Jayson Swaney; niece, Donna Butler.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Teresa and Scott Edmondson; sister and brother-in-law, Kathleen and Pearson Butler; brothers and sisters-in-law, Albert and Betty Coning, Frank and Janis Coning; sister-in-law Alma Swaney. Along with a host of many other family members and special nieces and nephews who shared a special place in “JuJu’s” heart.
The family will receive friends from 1-3:00 p.m. Tuesday at Mountain View Church of Christ, 3102 Six Mile Rd., Maryville, TN. 37803, with the service to follow at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Jonathan Westerfield officiating. The interment will immediately follow at Mountain View Church of Christ Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity
