Darla Michele Swaney (Beach, Smith), 54, of Albany, lost her battle to breast cancer on Wednesday.
She was born in Albany to Raleigh and Roberta Smith. She was involved in 4-H showing horses. She was a cheerleader at South Albany High School, graduating in 1977. She lived in the Willamette Valley her entire life.
She married Larry Beach of Tangent in 1978, and they had three children. She amicably divorced and remarried Ray Swaney of Corvallis, and they later divorced.
She was a deputy in the Civil Department for Linn County from 1986 through 1989. Later, she worked in the customer service department for 17 years for John and Phil's Toyota of Corvallis.
She was also a remarkable singer who owned and operated a karaoke business for a few years.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Michelle and Robert Egner of Lebanon; her son and daughter-in-law Brandon and Dorothy Beach of Lebanon; her daughter and son-in-law Bridgette and Jeff Highley of Lebanon; her three grandchildren, Zaylee and Kaydence Egner, and Zander Highley; her mother Roberta Smith of Albany; her brother Allan Smith of Albany; her brother and sister-in-law Darrel and Linda Smith of Tangent; her sister and brother-in-law Berlita and Duane Masog of Lebanon; nieces and nephews; and her best friend, Bob France, of Alsea.
Her beloved father preceded her in death.
There will be a viewing on Friday, May 3 from noon - 7 p.m. at AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Saturday, May 4 at 11 a.m. at South Albany Community Church with burial to follow at Oakville Cemetery in Shedd.