Camilla Diane Swain

Camilla was a Tar Heel, born in Nashville, NC while her parents, John and Jane Swain, were there for her dad to attend seminary. Her early years were spent in Boonville, IN where she welcomed her younger sister, Michelle. She then moved to Cape Girardeau, MO in time for fourth grade. Camilla has always enjoyed a variety of hobbies and activities such as crafts, music, drama, dance and youth group. She made her first trip out of the country as an 8th grader when she went to France for a month. She finished her senior year at Bosse. One of her favorite things was to go to the older ladies’ Sunday School class to give them their weekly hug. Then it was on to Taylor University where she had positive experience and she excelled at listening to and being a friend. After graduation she worked as a temp to save money to go to Africa for 6 months to teach and love people. 

Camilla dedicated her career to teaching and advising students at Ivy Tech Community College for over 25 years. In various roles she facilitated homeschool students’ earning of college credits. She developed tutoring programs, oversaw college preparation courses, and taught new student seminars. She did it all with compassion and professionalism toward both students and colleagues. 

As a woman of faith, she served others. She founded Hope Impact, was a tireless advocate of adoption, homeschool families and sharing the value and importance of trauma informed care. Camilla served as a church administrator and provided pastoral care to those in leadership.

Camilla had such a desire to help children in Third World countries, so when she decided to adopt, she chose Guatemala. She was a proud and loving mother to her daughter Adonnya (2003). Later when she was ready to love another child, Isaiah joined the family, coming from Ethiopia in 2009. A few years later they learned of a hearing-impaired child from India needing a home. Camilla knew sign language plus many people were praying, so by the time Sammy came home at almost 3 years old, there was no hearing problem. Her children were her joy and her pride. She loved generously.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel – A Family Tradition Funeral Home, 5330 Washington Avenue with Pastor Tommy Epperson officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Gilead Cemetery.

Friends may visit from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel. Visitation will continue from 1:00 p.m. until service time, Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Boone Funeral Home.

A Live Stream will be available beginning twenty minutes prior to the service time. Please visit www.boonefuneralhome.net, select your loved one’s obituary, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click Live Stream.

Memorial Contributions may be made to: any Old National Bank to benefit Camilla's children. Please use Camilla's name or 812-589-6861 to donate.

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