Earline Swope, age 86, passed away on January 7, 2026.

Earline Swope, 86 of Springfield, MO, died Wednesday, January 7, 2026, in Magnolia Square Nursing and Rehab, Springfield, MO.

Earline was born on June 3, 1939, in Fayetteville, Arkansas, to Earl and Opal (Wilkinson) Oliphant. She attended high school in Fayetteville, AR. After high school, Earline met Jack Swope and they were married on November 26, 1959 in Fayetteville. Earline and Jack moved several times during their marriage, due to Jack's insurance profession, but then purchased and moved to a farm in Clever, MO. while raising their three boys. After many years in Clever, they then moved to Ozark, Mo. for a time, before finally moving to Forsyth, Mo., where they enjoyed their time on the lake. Earline worked alongside her husband for many years, helping to operate their own insurance agencies, Banta-Benham, for over 30 years in two locations, Forsyth, and Nixa, MO.

As a young girl, Earline enjoyed riding horses and barrel racing. After marriage and having a family, she spent time cultivating her garden and excelled in the kitchen as a wonderful cook. Earline was very community minded, serving on local city Chambers as well as being actively involved on the Fair Board for the city of Forsyth, Mo.

Earline's faith was of greatest importance to her, and her church family was a big part of her life. She served faithfully in the many churches where she was a member, with First Baptist Church of Forsyth being her home church for the latter part of her life while living in Forsyth.
Earline is survived by her three sons, Jon Swope and wife, Jennifer; Jay Swope and wife, Regina; and Jary Swope; her brother, David Oliphant and wife, Deanne; eight grandchildren: Amy Mefford, Marissa Swope, Aaron Swope, Taylor Anderson, Katelyn Swope, Jared Swope, Lindsey Buehler, and Katie Buehler; and seven great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her grandson, Joshua Swope. Services will be held for Earline Swope on Monday, January 12, 2026. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. at Snapp-Bearden Forsyth Chapel in Forsyth, Missouri with a memorial service following at 3 p.m. Pastor Gordon Dawley will officiate. A private family burial at a later time.

The family of Earline Swope would like to thank The Township Senior Living, Magnolia Square Nursing and Rehab, and Season's Hospice for their incredible and loving care of Earline during these last years of her life.