The Richmond News, June 27, 2025

Josephine Earleene “Sug” Swafford, 90, of Richmond passed away peacefully Sunday, June 22, 2025, at Northland Health and Rehab in Kansas City, surrounded by family.

Josephine Earleene Swafford was born June 26, 1934, to Michael S. and Mary (Denning) Kraft.

Sug graduated in 1952 from Henrietta High School.

She married Lowell Clyde “Banty” Swafford on Jan. 17, 1954. He preceded her in death on Nov. 24, 1981.

Sug was extremely hardworking, holding two jobs at the same time for many years. She would work during the day, managing all the school cafeterias for the Richmond RXVI School District, and then work evenings at Walmart. She retired from Walmart after 25 years.

Sug enjoyed traveling to Pennsylvania often throughout the year and spending time with family and friends. She especially enjoyed her monthly luncheons with Walmart employees.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother and friend to many. To this day, many people from Richmond still refer to her as “Mom.”

She had a passion for collecting angels and had a magnificent collection.

She was a member of the Richmond Christian Union Church.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; and all of her siblings, including Helen Louise Summers, Ivan Sylvester Kraft, Bell Kraft, Elwood Levere Kraft, William Arthur Kraft, Marvin Andrew Kraft, Mary Elizabeth Bowman, June Lee Hessenflow, Judy Marie Bowman, John Raymond Kraft and Clifford Eugene Kraft. She also was preceded in death by Michael Kraft, Terri Swafford and Chris Swafford, all of whom she raised during their youth.

Survivors include her son, Jeff Swafford and wife Vickie of Kansas City; Melvin and Donna Kraft of Belton; and Tom and Debbie Sveistrup of Richmond. She also is survived by many grandkids, including Tanner Swafford of Tonganoxie, Kan.; Dillon Swafford, Madison Swafford and Jake Swafford of Kansas City; Angela Kraft, Nicholas Kraft and Michael Kraft of Belton; CJ Ivison, Jeffery Boguskie, Sebastian Sveistrup and Jaidin Sveistrup of Richmond; and Damion Sveistrup of Owensboro, Ky.

Many great-grandkids, nieces and nephews survive as well.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Richmond Christian Union Church. Contributions can be mailed in care of the family to Thurman Funeral Home; 507 E. Main St.-PO Box 190; Richmond, MO 64085.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. July 1 at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond. Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. June 30 at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond. Burial will be at Richmond Memory Gardens in Richmond.

Please share your condolences and memories of Sug with the family at www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.