Palestine, Texas - Services for Joy Swift, 94, of Palestine will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at First Christian Church in Palestine officiated by Rev. Jordan Byrd. Services are in care of Herrington / Land of Memory Funeral Home.

Joy passed away peacefully on January 26, 2025, after a short illness surrounded by her family. Known by everyone as Joy, she was born September 7, 1930, in Starkville, MS. She leaves behind four children: Dick Swift and wife Susan, Carol Bentley and the late Judge Bascom Bentley, Matt Swift and wife Colleen, and Julie Swift; 9 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; a brother, Buzz Bingham of Arkansas; and a sister, Mahaska Whitney of Florida.

Joy began her career as a Radio City Rockette in New York City. She then attended The University of Texas at Austin, where she met Ernest Swift. They soon married and moved to Palestine and had 4 children. In 1956, Joy started the first dance school in Palestine, Texas, later known as Academy of Dance. Joy later moved to Midland, Texas, where she teamed up with her father at Bingham Dance Studio. Thousands of children were taught to dance, made lifelong memories and friends, and learned important life lessons while learning from Joy. In her early years, Joy was president of the PTA, a Cub Scout Den Mother, taught the adult Sunday school class at First Christian Church, and was a volunteer for many charities including the March of Dimes and American Heart Association.

Joy led a full and active life. Her greatest loves were her family and friends. She always looked forward to going fishing, trading stock, her bridge games or a game of "Rummikub" with the grandkids. Her love of dance was on display when she taught Dr. Oz how to tap dance on his show. She once spent a half day on the floor on the New York Stock Exchange; and on a 2006 trip to Lake Tahoe, she met Donald Trump at the celebrity golf tournament.

Joy was predeceased by a grandson, William Bentley; parents, Wilma Bingham of San Angelo and E. F. (Bing) Bingham of Midland; and sisters, Wanda Sikes, Jane Collins, and Connie Harrell.

Special thanks to caregivers Tracy Taylor, Tashuree Jones, and Jason West for their love and support.

View online at www.herringtonfuneral.com