Marla Jolene (Riley) Swaby was born on Thursday, February 9, 1967, in Fairfax, Missouri, to Carl Gene and Carolyn Yvonne (Lee) Riley. Marla attended Tarkio High School, Tarkio, Missouri, graduating in 1985. She then attended Platt Junior College, St. Joseph, Missouri, graduating in 1986 as a Medical Office Assistant. Marla performed her medical internship at the office of Dr. Edward Bare, Tarkio.

After college, Marla went on to work many different jobs. She was a Certified Nurse’s Assistant for Tarkio Rehabilitation and Health Care, and a live-in nanny for families, waitress, and a baker. She was also a dry-cleaning store manager, preschool assistant, Tarkio School District food service manager, and finally the Tarkio superintendent’s secretary.

Marla became the proud mother of one son, Jordan Robert Alexander Riley in March of 1996. Her son was her pride and joy. She loved watching him wrestle, play football, and earn his black belt in martial arts, along with many other activities.

On June 22, 2013, Marla was united in marriage with her true prince, Michael G. Swaby. They made their home in Tarkio.

Marla was very involved with her church, Assembly of God, Tarkio, all her life. She began teaching Sunday School and Girls Club Classes at the age of 12 and continued to serve for many years. She served on the church board as the secretary, and helped her husband, Mike, with the sound booth, including audio/visual presentations, or anything needed done on the computer. Marla passed away Thursday, May 11, 2023, at her home in Tarkio, at the age of 56.

Marla was preceded in death by father, Carl Gene Riley; maternal grandparents, Charles and Mary (Cook) Lee; paternal grandparents, Howard and Gertrude Riley; father-in-law, Don G. Swaby; and numerous aunts, uncles, and friends. Survivors include husband, Mike Swaby, Tarkio; son, Jordan Riley, Columbia, Missouri; mother, Carolyn Riley, Tarkio; siblings, Carla Riley and Carl Eugene Riley, both of Tarkio; nephew, Nic Schebaum and his children, Cooper and Macie; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; mother-in-law, Nesline Swaby; brother-in-law, Donn Swaby; and a host of friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 20, 2023, at the Assembly of God Church, Tarkio. There is no visitation. Inurnment will be at Home Cemetery, Tarkio. Memorials may be directed to Assembly of God Church, Tarkio. Services are under the direction of Davis Funeral Home in Tarkio. Online condolences may be left at www.minterfuneralchapels.com.