Sarah Baird Hutcheson

A lifelong resident of Simpson County, KY, Sarah Ann Baird Swearingen Hutcheson (January 7, 1929) passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 26 at NHC in Franklin, TN. She was the daughter of the late Ruby Finn Baird and the late Ben Baird of Franklin, KY. In 1958 she was preceded in death by her husband James Offutt Swearingen, and her husband Robert Baird Hutcheson in 1990. She also mourned her late daughter-in-law, Martha J. Swearingen, son-in-law, Richard L. Settle, Jr., and her granddaughter Leslie Elizabeth Hutcheson.

Sarah Ann is survived by her son, James B. Swearingen (Barbara) of Gallatin, TN and her daughter, Janet Settle of Abingdon, VA, Stepson, Leslie Ray Hutcheson (Sue) of Franklin, KY, Brother, Ben D Baird of Naples, Florida, Grandson Christopher J Swearingen (Emilie) of San Marcos, California, Granddaughter Alissa Alexiou (Nicholas) of Nashville, TN, Grandson Travis B Swearingen (Aftin) of Nashville, TN, Granddaughter Sarah Rae Easter (Nick) of Brookline, MA, Step-grandsons Scot (Renee) Hutcheson of Elizabethtown, KY, Rod (Eva) Hutcheson of Bowling Green, KY, Andrew Smith (Laura) of Danville, KY, and Step-granddaughter Stephanie Maxwell (Kemp) of Nashville, TN and her special nephews Mike Baird (Sharon) of Murfreesboro, TN, and Mark Baird (Melina) of Centerville, TN, and special niece Katrena Friedman (Michael) of Houston, TX.

She is also survived by 22 Great Grand and step-great grandchildren and 4 Great Great Step-grandchildren as well as a host of Swearingen, Hutcheson and Baird family members.

Sarah Ann eloped at age 16 to marry James Swearingen. When he tragically died at a young age, she earned her GED and started as a secretary at Carter Moore Hospital. Ten years later, she was appointed as administrator of the hospital –also while she managed the family farm. She was a businesswoman in Franklin, at a time when there were few—she broke the glass ceiling! Sarah Ann went on to serve in an administrative capacity to the Simpson County Fiscal Court, received her real estate license, studied at Western and worked in the office of First Baptist Church where she was a faithful member. She also attended Middleton Baptist Church.

Her passion for UK basketball and The Atlanta Braves was well known! She loved to travel and learn. She loved a good game of Rook with family and friends – sometimes hotly contested—always ending in laughter! She was a terrific gardener and cook --hosting many a dinner party and family gatherings! Sarah started knitting, needlepoint, and cross stitch in the sixties. She made over 500 sweaters, baby outfits, afghans, and Christmas stockings which she generously shared with all the family and special friends.

Sarah Ann was also involved in many clubs (DAR, Baptist Women, BPW) through the years, but she was most proud, dedicated to and faithfully served on the board of Oneida Children’s Home and Institute in Oneida, KY. She coordinated the collection of countless vans full of clothing and drove many times to Oneida to donate to the Home.

Her greatest gift to her family was her love of the Lord. She read the Bible daily, taught Sunday School, hosted the teen group at her home in her retirement years, filled in as pianist when needed and took her kids to church every time the doors opened! She knew life was difficult and that only God could lead you through the trials and tribulations. Her second greatest gift to her family was that of lifelong learning. She had personally experienced that education was so important in carving a future. She was so proud that both of her children graduated from Western Kentucky University, but her buttons would pop when she spoke of her grandchildren, a Ph.D., two MD’s and a J.D.

Sarah Ann set the bar high! She would say, what she lacked in smarts (which was not much) she made up for in hard work. We all learned so much from this beautiful soul!

There will be a private burial at Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin, KY. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please honor Sarah Ann’s memory with a donation to First Baptist Church, 303 E. Cedar Street, Franklin, KY 42134 or Oneida Baptist Institute, 11 Mulberry Street, Oneida, KY 40972.

Gilbert Funeral Home & Crematory website is www.gilbertfhonline.com. The Facebook page is Gilbert Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc.  The obituary phone line is 270-586-8844.