Claudia Marie (Swails) Strong

Memorial services for Claudia Marie Strong (Swails) will be held at 4:00 PM, on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Garrison Funeral Home with Bro. Philip Strong officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 3:00 PM.

Claudia Swails Strong adored mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on Monday, April 28, 2025, in Garrison, Texas. She was 86.

Born on November 29, 1938, in Houston, Texas, Claudia was the only child of Lewis and Marie Swails. She graduated from Bellaire High School and went on to build a peaceful life. Claudia married Jimmy Strong of Garrison in 1959, and together they raised two children, James Woodlief (Jim) and Catherine Rene' (Cathy). Claudia spent her career at Commercial State Bank and its successors in Garrison, where she worked diligently until her retirement. A proud and active member of the Garrison Heritage Society, Claudia cherished the small-town roots of the city in which she lived and enjoyed fostering its deep sense of community. In her free time, she enjoyed traveling, reading, relaxing with a good Hallmark movie, and simply being in the company of friends and family. 

Claudia's greatest loves in life were her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her children were the center of her world, and she poured her energy, time, and care into raising them. As a grandmother, she cherished every visit, phone call, and life event of her grandchildren. Her love only grew with the arrival of her great-grandsons, whose abundant energy and snuggles brought her so much laughter and happiness in her later years.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved son, Jim.

Claudia is survived by her husband, Jimmy Strong; her daughter Cathy Oliver and husband Doug Oliver of North Zulch; her grandson Rodney Oliver of College Station; her granddaughter Emily Mattern and husband Matthew Mattern of North Zulch; and her great-grandsons Tucker Mattern and Tanner Mattern of North Zulch.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donation be made to The Wiley Hotel Garrison Heritage Society.

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