Fern Becker

Fern Elnora Swisher Becker, age 95, passed away January 6, 2011 at National HealthCare in Hendersonville, TN. She was born January 4, 1915 in Iowa City, Iowa to Jacob Armstrong and Nora Mae Anthony Swisher. She was preceded in death by her parents, her spouse of 70 years, Wendell N. Becker, two sisters, Dorothea McGinnis and Lois Duncan, and one brother, William Swisher. She is survived by three sons: Dr. Jerry Donna Becker of Salem, Oregon; Kenneth Linda Becker of Hendersonville, TN; and Dr. Steve Jean Becker of Libby, Montana, and two daughters, Sandra Dr. Gus Scott of Prescott, Arizona; Kay Ben Lasater of Hendersonville, two sisters: Esther Preslar Joe of Conway, SC and Helen Gile Kummings Herb of West End, NC; one brother, Charles Jeanne Swisher of Iowa City, Iowa; eleven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. Mrs. Becker graduated from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa with a BS Degree in Home Economics and from Middle Tennessee State University with a MS Degree in Guidance. She and Mr. Becker married in 1935 while students at the University of Iowa. After they graduated, they moved to Knoxville, Tennessee where he worked with TVA. Mr. Becker's employment took them to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Iowa City, Iowa, Kingston, Tennessee and Manchester, Tennessee. After moving to Manchester and graduating from MTSU, Mrs. Becker worked as Guidance Counselor at the Tennessee Correctional School in Tullahoma, Coffee County Senior High School, and multiple Coffee County Elementary Schools. Mrs. Becker retired in May 1974. During the ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬35 years of their retirement, she and her husband spent most winters in Mesa, Arizona. They enjoyed their travels across the United States visiting with family and friends. In 1982 Mr. Becker and his wife moved to Hendersonville, TN. They were always in the United Methodist Church, Little League, Round Pattern Dancing, Bridge, and their children's activities. Mrs. Becker was also an accomplished artist. She was proudest of her children and their accomplishments. A private entombment officiated by Rev. Don Hutchinson and Rev. Ben Alexander is to be held Saturday, January 15 at the Hendersonville Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. A private Memorial Service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hendersonville First United Methodist Church, or the Tennessee Department of Education Special Education. Arrangements entrusted to Hendersonville Memory Gardens & Funeral Home.