Maelinda Swanzy Announces Candidacy for City of Center At-Large Council Position

October 22, 2016 - Maelinda Shepherd Swanzy is a graduate of Center High School. She is the daughter of the late Alga and Maudelle Shepherd who owned and operated Shepherd’s Café in Center during the 1950s and 1960s. Maelinda is the wife of David Swanzy; the mother of three grown sons; and step-mom to Betsy Swanzy, of Center, and Dave Swanzy, of Tyler. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from the University of Houston.

After being away from Center for a number of years, on her return, Maelinda has invested herself in community work as church and choir member and Sunday School teacher, first at First Baptist Church and, currently, church and choir member at First United Methodist Church. She is a member and former board member of the Shelby County Historical Society and Museum; member of Beta Sigma Phi International Sorority; member and former board member of the Timpson Area Genealogical and Historical Society; and serves on the Center High School Alumni Board.

In the 1990s Maelinda worked in Center at Shelby Savings Bank, SSB, doing loan review, then as Receptionist/Secretary for William J. Barton, Attorney at Law. Some of her work experience while away from Center was as follows: Office Nurse/Secretary/Bookkeeper for Frank M. Ryburn, Jr., M.D., Lubbock, TX; Receptionist/Surgery Secretary, Medical Center ENT Assoc. of Houston, P.A., Houston, TX; Administrative Assistant to the Professor and Head of Maritime Systems Engineering Department, Texas A&M University at Galveston; and Director of Residential Services under the Dean of Student Services, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX.

As councilwoman, Maelinda’s main concern and goal will be to promote the safety, health and welfare of her fellow citizens.  She is excited about the prospect of working on some of the innovative projects already begun by our council, along with plans of bringing new ideas for Center to the council.