Iris Elizabeth Scott

Iris Elizabeth Swetnam Scott, 66, Veedersburg, IN joined her Heavenly Father in His Kingdom on April 18, 2009. She passed from this world peacefully following a sudden illness, likely related to a bleeding disorder she had fought courageously for more than 35 years. Iris was born in Garanhuns, Brazil, South America on May 29, 1942 to the late Dr. Walter and Janie Katherine (Murrell) Swetnam, where they served as missionaries. After leaving Brazil at age 6, the family moved to Amite, LA, where Iris graduated from Amite High School in 1960. After high school, she first attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA, and then transferred to Campbellsville College in Campbellsville, KY where she obtained a BS in English and Music. Iris relocated to Indiana and taught English and Music at New Market High School. During this time, she met Byron Scott of Crawfordsville, and they were married on November 23, 1967 at Wabash Avenue Presbyterian Church by her father, Dr. Walter Swetnam. Iris continued teaching until the birth of their first daughter, then took time off to raise her family. She resumed teaching in 1975, when she opened a preschool in her home. Several years later, she took a position with the Head Start program in Fountain County. After serving there as both a teacher and director, Iris changed direction and began working at the Shawnee Center. It was here that she found her true professional “calling”. Since 1988, Iris has worked for a not-for-profit agency that places individuals with disabilities in semi-independent living situations. Her kindness, compassion, honesty, and faith in all people were beyond compare, and these values carried through both her personal and professional lives. As an active member and respected leader of Veedersburg First Christian Church, Iris served her church family and the Lord with joy and passion. She especially enjoyed leading Bible studies, monthly contributions to the church newsletter, and felt blessed to have served as interim pastor for over a year when she was asked. Her professional and church responsibilities kept her very busy, but she always found time to spend with her family. An avid reader and eloquent writer, Iris also enjoyed games and logic puzzles, and could be found in the woods every Spring hunting for mushrooms! Iris is survived by her husband, Byron; daughter Ginny (Scott) Ward, Williamsport; daughter Claire Elizabeth and her husband, Scott Voorhees; Indianapolis; daughter Kathy Scott; Veedersburg; and Son-in-Law David Ward, Covington. Also surviving are four grandsons; Andrew Voorhees, Bloomington; Christopher Voorhees, Indianapolis; Cody Ward, Williamsport, and Cameron Ward, Williamsport. Iris is further survived by her brother, Dr. Walter Horton Swetnam and his wife Norma, Batesville, AR; sisters Charlotte (Swetnam) Ayers and her husband Leon, St. Joseph, LA; and Janie (Swetnam) Vann and her husband James, Dauphin Island, AL, and her mother-in-law, Virginia May Scott, Franklin, IN. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her infant twin brother, William Wylie Swetnam. Memorial Services for Iris E. Scott will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 24 at Veedersburg First Christian Church, 301 N. Mill Street. Dr. Walter H. Swetnam and Rev. Diana Sturm will officiate. Friends and relatives are asked to also come to Veedersburg First Christian Church on Thursday, April 23, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. to gather in celebration and remembrance. Arrangements entrusted to Dickerson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, Iris’s family requests that memorial contributions be made in her honor to: Women’s Resource Center, 407 E. Market St., Ste. 106, Crawfordsville, IN 47933