March 7, 1934 – November 29, 2025
Sarah Nel Swiatkiewicz (Chestnut), 91, of Pleasantville, IA, passed away at home on November 29, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. In the weeks preceding her death, she received and enjoyed a multitude of visits, phone calls, FaceTime calls, prayers, and lots of love from her extended family and friends.
Sarah Nel was born March 7, 1934, in Colquitt, Georgia to Grace and William ‘Henry’ Chestnut. She graduated from West Bainbridge High School, Bainbridge, Georgia, where she shined on the basketball court. She went on to study nursing at the Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee and completed her clinicals at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. After nursing school, she met and married Robert James Swiatkiewicz. In 1960, they moved to his hometown of Moline, Illinois where they raised their family.
For many years she was a loving stay-at-home mom, a model with Ada Gaffney modeling agency, and Ms. Polaroid. Sarah Nel entered the workforce in the late 70s as a manager at Happy Joe’s Pizza Parlor and then later studied and received her license to sell insurance.
In her free time, Sarah Nel enjoyed attending and watching all sports, gardening, music, and dancing. She showed up for loved ones and attended all events no matter the distance. Sarah Nel never met a stranger, had a way with everyone, and loved deeply. Family meant everything to her. She never missed an opportunity to tell you she loved you, even if silently whispered across the dinner table.
Sarah Nel was preceded in death by her ex-husband Robert James “Bob”, mother Grace, father William “Henry”, sister Betty “Spooky”, brother David, sister Karen, stepmother Carolyn, stepfather George, sister-in-law Roxie, as well as many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.
She is survived by:
Siblings: Michael Chambless, Desiree (Doyle) Carroll, and Arthur (Cathy) Chestnut
Children: Pamela Swiatkiewicz, Jamie (Lori) Chestnut, Sr., Lisa (Stephen) Quinn, Lori Swiatkiewicz (Bruce), Robert James “Jaime” Swiatkiewicz II, Julie (Chad) Cowden
Grandchildren: Katie (Chris) Pletcher, Ryan (Rachel) Quinn, Jonathan Quinn (Jordy), Jamie (Lori) Chestnut, Finley Cowden, Rhya Cowden, Mark Turner (Sara), Amber (Scott) Shadd, and Nathan
Great Grandchildren: Abel, Eden, Anna, and Elle Pletcher; Asher and Gavin Quinn; and Kairi Chestnut
Bonus children: Amanda McFadden, Sonya Scalf
A Celebration of Life will take place at 2:00 p.m., Friday, June 26, 2026, in Eldorendo Baptist Church, 1333 Old Eldorendo Rd. The Rev. Mitch Royals will officiate. Interment will follow in Eldorendo Baptist Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Eldorendo Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, PO Box 7095, Bainbridge, GA. 39818.
Online condolences may be sent at www.coxiveyfuneralhome.com. Cox-Ivey Funeral Home helping with local arrangements.
