Scroggins, Dorothygene Frederica Swearingen (8 Aug 1932 - 13 Dec 2011) [51948:N]

Published online on December 16, 2011 courtesy of Herring Groseclose Funeral Home - Walla Walla
Dorothygene Frederica Scroggins
(August 8, 1932 - December 13, 2011)

Dorothygene Frederica Scroggins died December 13, 2011 peacefully at her home with family present to comfort her. Dot, as she was known to friends & family, was the youngest of seven children of Fred Otis Swearingen & Flora Eliza (Hudson) Swearingen. Dot was born August 8, 1932 near Drain, Oregon where she attended grade and high school as she grew to adulthood on the family farm on Jack Creek west of Drain.

Dot was active in school, lettering in Volleyball, Basketball & Softball, elected to several class officer positions, princess on various courts and school annual staff among other school activities. She graduated in 1950 and joined the US Air Force. Dot served two of her Air Force years in Japan where she traveled extensively on base basketball & softball teams. She was honorably discharged in 1954. She graduated from Eugene Business School in 1955. Dot remained active in sports and joined the Women’s Bowling Congress in 1955 and remained a member most of the rest of her life.

Dot met Duane L. Scroggins [38861:N] in 1957 whom she married May 25, 1958 in the United Methodist Church in Drain, Oregon. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2008 with family and friends in Walla Walla, Washington. They lived in San Francisco while Duane completed his second degree in Civil Engineering and Dot worked for MJB until their son, David [51947:M], was born. She then became a stay-at-home mom. In fact, she was a pioneer soccer mom. They moved to San Leandro, California as Duane began a career in municipal engineering. Darinda [51951:N]was born there in 1964.

They moved to Roseburg, Oregon where Darla [51950:N] was born in 1969. They moved two years later to Medford, Oregon. Dot was Den mother, Room mother, Softball coach, PTA activist and foremost, the mom to her kids—always the first on the agenda. In 1978, they moved back to Roseburg, out in the country that time, then to Walla Walla in 1983. One child graduated from high school in each of those cities. During all these moves, Dot remained an active bowler and WBC member while participating in league bowling. She competed in State & National tournaments after her children graduated from high schools and on to college, careers & a life of their own.

Here in Walla Walla the last 28 years, Dot has been to Reno, Nevada, Tucson, Arizona, Syracuse, New York, Baton Rouge, Louisiana and places in between to compete in National bowling tournaments. She amassed many friends in Walla Walla through her bowling activities. Dot has been an avid fan throughout her life and has been to many National League Parks.

Dot maintained an active life playing bridge with more than one group at a time. She was active in the Plymouth Circle of the First Congregational Church especially before Duane retired in 1994 when they traveled extensively. Even after travel & retirement, she was able to contribute time (and pies) to the Circle and church. She volunteered with the American Red Cross for many years—again contributing her baking skills by providing cookies to many a blood drive along with other duties. Dot also served on the board of the YWCA among other community activities.

Pioneer soccer mom continued a family tradition. Her great grandfather, Andrew Jackson Swearingen came to Oregon as an 1852 pioneer and settled on a Donation Land Claim in the Umpqua Valley. Dot was a Daughter of Oregon Pioneers and active in Chapter 12 of the Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington.

When Duane retired from his engineering career, they traveled extensively. There were two multi-month RV trips around the USA, three RV summers in Alaska & Canada, flights to Hawaii to make use of Darla’s time share “problems” plus numerous short trips with family & friends—all while keeping up with bowling, bridge and pie-making “duties.” Dot & Duane have been overnight in all 50 states and 5 Canadian provinces or territories. They have stayed in almost all National Parks that they could drive to.

Dot is survived by her husband of over 53 years, Duane, in Walla Walla; her son David (Linda) in Medford, Oregon; her daughter Darinda (Bill) Coble in Milton Freewater, Oregon; her daughter Darla (Jack) Steiner in Alexandria, Virginia; grandson Jeremiah Coble, grandson Diego Steiner and granddaughter Olivia Steiner. She is the surrogate grandmother of John& Amanda Meliah. She is also survived by her sisters, Alta Nute, La Pine, Oregon and Irma McIntosh, Drain, Oregon; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, family & friends she loved dearly. She is preceded in death by her father & mother, 2 brothers, Clay & Victor Swearingen; 2 sisters, Mae Farnsworth & Lucille Burdette.

There will be a Memorial Celebration of Life at the First Congregational Church on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 10:00 AM with Rev. Cecelia McKean officiating. A private inurnment will be at Mountain View Cemetery. Dot asks that memorial contributions in lieu of flowers be made in her memory to St. Mary Regional Cancer Center Special Needs Fund or Walla Walla Community Hospice through the Herring Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, Washington.