Erma Jean Swift

Mrs. Erma Williams Swift ended in victory on Saturday morning, November 16, 2024, at her home in McCordsville, Indiana at the blessed age of 93 years old. Mrs. Erma, as she is known for, was born on February 10, 1931, in Blanton, AL, to the late Earlie and Claudia Williams. Mrs. Erma was raised with her sister, Mrs. Hattie Jones, and another daughter, Mildred Hardy, after her biological mother’s death. Mrs. Erma accepted Christ at an early age and attended church at Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church (Salem, AL). Hattie Jones (Sister as Erma Always Called Her): Our early childhood was filled with family, faith in God, church, friends, laughter, and lots of mischief. Erma was always trying to get me in trouble. She would run and leave me as we were walking home from school and telling our parents that I was playing with the boys, that’s why I wasn’t with her. Another memory is singing a song for the Easter program at church and our grandmother clapping for us. But she wasn’t clapping because we sounded good. She told us she was clapping for us to sit down! I will truly miss my sister and our frequent conversations! “That’s my sister” ____________________________________________________________________________ ________ Mildred Hardy: All of Mildred’s life, there has always been an Erma, and I will miss talking to her on a weekly basis. Erma would always remind me that this world is not our home, and when God gets ready for us, we need to be ready for Him. My last conversation was that Erma was ready to go and be with Jesus. Several hours later, she did just that! Mrs. Erma attended Tuskegee Institute before moving to Indianapolis in 1956. She had three children: Linda Swift Robinson, Brenda Swift, and Harriett Swift. In 1962, all three of her children were in a house fire, and Linda, at the age of 5, was the only one who survived. While in Indianapolis, Mrs. Erma owned a restaurant and that became a restaurant manager at GC Murphys while raising her only living daughter by herself (with the help of her sister Hattie Jones and family). Mrs. Erma’s family and friends loved her food, and she loved to cook. In 1979, Mrs. Erma’s job at GC Murphys transferred her to Fort Worth, Texas, where she lived for the next 40 years. Mrs. Erma retired from GC Murphys in 1992. After she retired, she opened another restaurant (Erma’s Kitcher), and then she went on to cook for a doctor’s office (Consultants in Cardiology). In 1991, Mrs. Erma completed the Job Preparation course in the Master’s Program to continue to fine-tune her skills. After a second retirement, Mrs. Erma went on to continue to cook and sell her heavenly creations, such as fried pies, cobblers, and chicken and dressing at flea markets, street fairs, and private Texas residents. In Texas, Mrs. Erma was known as the “Pie Lady” and had newspaper articles written about her. Every time her daughter Linda visited her. Erma in Texas, she put her to work helping with the pies. Linda was so amazed at how many pies she would make in one weekend, 500 – 1,000.00 of them. Mrs. Erma moved back to Indianapolis in 2019, where she found many opportunities to cook and bake those famous fried pies. She joined Greater Northwest Baptist Church in Indianapolis and remained a member there until her death. Mrs. Erma was a God-fearing woman who studied her Bible and watched religious television every day. Everyone loved her beautiful and infectious smile; her precious memory will forever be in our hearts. A special thank you to some of her special friends: Ramon Vera (Ft. Worth, TX), Judy Hill (Ft. Worth, TX); The Senior Saints/Sewing Ministry of GNWBC; GNWBC Sick & Call Ministry; Marilyn Riley (who showered her with gifts from all over the world and visited her when she was in the nursing home for respass); Andrea White (who always sent her cards and called her); Shirley Robinson (who made her cookies, just because or when she asked for them), Annie Robinson (who made her sweet potatoes when she asked), Deloris Ballinger, her Aides Misty Hilbert, (Advantage Health Care), they talked about the Lord all the time, D’Taria Williams (TLB Home Health Care) and her amazing Son-In- Law, Claude Robinson Sr. (who opened his home for her to live in and cook in, no questions asked). She leaves to cherish her precious and sweet memories: one daughter, Linda Robinson (Claude Sr.) of Indianapolis, IN; two sisters, Hattie Jones of Indianapolis, IN, and Mildred Hardy of Cleveland, OH; three grandsons, Marshaun Robinson of Houston, TX, Antione Robinson (Rachel) of Conyers, GA, and Claude Robinson Jr. (Janna) of Jamestown, ND; thirteen great- grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, cousins, and friends.

Erma Jean Swift

February 10, 1931 - November 16, 2024