Shari Lynn Douglass

Shari Lynn Douglass-Swanson was born on September 1st, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois, to William Douglass and Ora Grady. She is the sixth of nine children. Shari moved to Tacoma at an early age and attended Tacoma Public Schools. She later pursued higher education and received her Associate of Arts degree from Highline College, where she was a Umoja Black Scholar. She received her Bachelors of Arts from The Evergreen State College, graduating Cum Laude.

Shari is a poet and published author. She was poet laureate for the Shoreline community. Shari departed this life on February 18th, 2022, in the presence of her loving family. Shari accepted the Lord as her personal Savior and prayed daily with her mother.

Shari met and married Alonza Swanson, and from this union, two beautiful daughters were born. She was preceded in death by her father, William Douglass, brother William Bruce Douglass, husband Alonza Swanson, and brother Ronald Williams.

She leaves to mourn her passing, her daughters Simone Douglass-Swanson of Tacoma Washington, Sierra Douglass-Swanson of Federal Way Washington, grandson Zacceus Brown of Tacoma Washington, mother Ora Grady-Allen of Stockton California, brother Billy D. Williams of Kokomo Indiana, brother Stanley Douglass of Tacoma Washington, sister Kimberley Douglass of Stockton California, brother Steven Allen (Michelle) of Milwaukee Wisconsin, brothers Brian and Keith Douglass of Chicago Illinois, Aunt Lottye Jackson of Dallas Texas, and a host of family.

Shari was a vibrant person who had an infectious smile. She touched people with her uncanny wit, sense of humor, and ability to have an enlightened conversation. She was a social activist coining the phrase “All lives matter if and only if Black lives matter, logically speaking!” Shari will be truly “missed” but never forgotten. Her legacy and spirit lives on in her poems, writings, and her family. Thank you for all the love and support you have shown our family during our time of bereavement. We love you!
The Douglass, Swanson, Allen Family.