Wellington Dixon Swindall

Swindall, Wellington Dixon
88 of Phoenix, passed away on September 5, 2011. Wellington D. Swindall, a resident of Phoenix since 1955, passed away Monday, September 5, 2011. He was born April 8, 1923 in Lafayette, Alabama to the late Yancy and Rosebud Hill Swindall. He was preceded in death by his siblings: John Taylor (formerly Yancy Swindall, Jr.) and wife Arletha,Vincent Swindall, Rosebud Heard and husband Leonard, and Jonathan Swindall. Wellington graduated from Stephen D. Lee High School in Asheville, North Carolina, then honored his nation by serving in the United States Army and was honorably discharged April 9, 1946. He earned the Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Bluefield State College, Bluefield, West Virginia in 1949. He received a Master of Arts Degree in Political Science and Economics from Kent State University, Kent, Ohio and the Education Specialist Degree from Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona. In 2004, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Bluefield State College. He began an illustrious 47 year career as an Educator teaching Business Administration at Prairie View A. and M. University, Prairie View, Texas, where he founded and conducted an Income Tax Institute for several years. There, he met the former Helen G. Pierson and they were married in 1953. She preceded him in death after nearly 50 years of marriage. After the Swindalls arrived in Phoenix, Wellington taught 2 years, then became Principal of Palmdale Elementary School and later Sheraton Park School. After 38 years of service, he retired in 1989. He was selected Administrator of the Year by the Salt River Valley Music Supervisors. He served on numerous local and state boards including the Arizona Principals' Academy, Arizona Department of Education Advisory Committee, Phoenix Housing Board, Phoenix Legal Aid Society and was a charter member of the Arizona Council on the Arts and Humanities. He was a member of the NAACP, the Urban League and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Professional affiliations include Life Membership in the National Education Association, the Arizona Education Association, the National Society for the Study of Education, Arizona Association of Black School Administrators, Arizona School Administrators, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and Phi Delta Kappa. He was a faithful member of Tanner Chapel A.M.E. Church, having served on the Board of Trustees. Mr. Swindall is survived by loving nieces and nephews: Ramon Taylor (Joyce), Karen Pruitt (Roland), Reginald Heard, Vincent Swindall, Jr., Betty Swindall, Charlotte Troup, Carla Palmer, Josephine Schulz (Thomas), Janet DeForrest, David Kerford (Carolyn), Susan Jones (William), Sister-in-law Lucille Kerford, cousins: Carolyn Russell, Julian Merriman, very close companion, Hazel Alvarez, extended family and dear friends. Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 13th, 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Universal Memorial Center, 1100 East Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85034. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 14th, 10:00 A.M. (Viewing - 9:00 A.M.) at Tanner Chapel A.M.E. Church, 20 South Eighth Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85034, with the Reverend Dr. Benjamin N. Thomas, Sr. officiating. Services entrusted to Universal Memorial Center.