Martha Lou Swindall

In loving memory of Martha Lou Pate-Swindall, who passed away on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family and friends.

Martha was born on March 25, 1973, in Middletown, Ohio, the youngest daughter of James “Jim” Pate and Shirley Pate. She grew up alongside her three older sisters, Pauletta Wilson (Troy), Teresa Long, and Jamie Kennedy, brother Rocky Pate, and her cousins Ricky Chaney and Scott Chaney, who were raised alongside her and as close as brothers.

Martha loved deeply, and no love was greater than the love she had for her children, Cole Arlin Swindall (Abby) and Cydnee Viola Swindall, who she shared with husband, Patrick Swindall. Their sweet baby girl, Gabrielle Bernice Swindall, went before her and was surely waiting in Heaven to be back in her mommy’s arms.

Martha was deeply loved by her nieces, Melissa Joy, Candy Long, Danielle Eslick (Jim), Stephanie McCracken, Sarah Kennedy, Hannah Matejkovic (Alex), Jennifer Pate (Jason), Kylie Sweet (Jason), Savannah Pate, as well as her great-nephews/nieces Casey Barnes, Meg Joy, Corey Barnes (Devin), Kylarae Nelson, Olivia Schremm, Tyler McCracken, Jordan Eslick (Alexis), AJ Dwyer, Preston Eslick, Noah McCracken, Evan Joy, Brynlee Barnes, Jeremiah McCracken, Audriella Barnes, Lincoln Eslick, and baby Seraphina Barnes.

Ray Nelson (Courtney) held a very special place in Martha’s heart, and she loved him dearly. Martha’s family is especially grateful to Ray for the love, devotion, companionship, and comfort he gave her during the final months of her life. His presence during that time was a gift to Martha and to all of us, and it will never be forgotten.

She is also survived by her aunt, Faye (Walter) Leap, cousins Tawna Leap and daughter Lianna Bryant, John Leap and daughter Summer, Paula Chaney, Denise Duguay, Ricky Chaney Jr and daughters, Journee, Hannah, and Nevaeh, Spencer Chaney and children, Aaliyah and Jayden, Shelley Thomas-Cresong (Charlie), cousins David and Marilyn McQuinn, Molly Biscan, Lisa Wygant, Judy Hardman, special life-long friend Chris King, and countless other relatives, friends, former coworkers, neighbors, and free-spirited souls from everywhere she went who came to know and love our kind & soft-hearted Martha Lou. She also dearly loved her two little fur babies, Daisy Mae and Betsy Lou.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Shirley Pate; her beloved daughter, Gabrielle Bernice Swindall; great-nephew, Christopher David Long, cousins Barbara Flory and Joseph Pate, uncles Harold Chaney and Mike Pate, aunt Delores Gustin, and her grandparents, Mary & Winfred Chaney and Viola & Charles Pate.

Martha’s lifelong talent for barbering served her well. She worked in numerous Barber/Styling shops and co-owned Tytus Avenue Barber Styling in Middletown with Scott Chaney. Martha had a talent for men’s cuts and went on to become a professional instructor for Cincinnati School of Barbering.

There are some people whose presence is simply too big to disappear from the lives they touched. Martha was one of those people. We will miss her voice, her laughter, her antics, her music, her wild and beautiful spirit, and most of all, the enormous way she loved. Our lives will never be the same without her, but we will carry pieces of Martha with us wherever we go.

Rest well, sweet Martha Lou, until we see you again. You were so deeply loved, and you always will be.

We invite you to join us in celebration of Martha’s life on Wednesday September 2, 2026.

Visitation: 11AM-1PM

Funeral Service: 1PM

Spaulding Funeral Home, 3805 Roosevelt Blvd (at Bonita Dr) Middletown, Ohio.

Please sign the guestbook at SpauldingFuneralHome.com