Basic Information
| Name | Isabelle Margaret Swanigan |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Isabel Margaret Lancaster |
| Birth Date | 1912-02-27 |
| Birth Place | Utah, USA |
| Death Date | 1986-08-16 |
| Death Place | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Parents | Mack N. Lancaster and Gertrude Stevens |
| Spouses | Jerome Ignatius Swanigan; Jester Joseph Hairston |
| Stepdaughter | Jeanne‑Marie Swann |
| Known For | Wife of Jester Hairston |
Early Life and Family Roots
Isabel Margaret Lancaster entered the world on February 27, 1912, in Utah. She grew up as the daughter of Mack N. Lancaster and Gertrude Stevens and adopted the surname Swanigan upon her first marriage in 1929.
Marriages and Personal Journey
She married Jerome Ignatius Swanigan on November 28, 1929, and later wed composer–actor Jester Hairston in 1939. Isabelle embraced her role as stepmother to Jeanne‑Marie Swann and supported Jester’s celebrated career in music and film.
Family Members and Roles
| Name | Relation | Born – Died | Role & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isabelle Margaret Swanigan | Self | 1912 – 1986 | Private life; wife of Jester Hairston |
| Mack N. Lancaster | Father | Unknown | Early life in Utah; little public record |
| Gertrude Stevens | Mother | Unknown | Raised Isabelle in Utah |
| Jerome Ignatius Swanigan | First Husband | Unknown | Married Isabelle in 1929; later divorced |
| Jester Hairston | Second Husband | 1901 – 2000 | Composer of “Amen” and “Mary’s Boy Child,” actor in To Kill a Mockingbird |
| Jeanne‑Marie Swann | Stepdaughter | Unknown | Jester’s daughter; Isabelle’s stepchild |
Legacy and Later Years
Isabelle maintained a private profile until her passing on August 16, 1986, in Los Angeles. She witnessed Jester Hairston’s rise as a leading arranger of spirituals and his acting roles from the 1940s through the 1990s.
FAQ
Who was Isabelle Margaret Swanigan?
Isabelle Margaret Swanigan, born Isabel Lancaster in 1912, served as the devoted wife of composer–actor Jester Hairston and stepmother to his daughter.
When did she marry Jester Hairston?
She married Jester Hairston in 1939, a decade after her first marriage to Jerome Swanigan.
Did Isabelle have a public career?
Isabelle focused on family life and did not pursue a documented public profession.
Who were her parents?
Her parents were Mack N. Lancaster and Gertrude Stevens, who raised her in Utah.
Who is Jeanne‑Marie Swann?
Jeanne‑Marie Swann is Jester Hairston’s daughter from a prior relationship and Isabelle’s stepdaughter.
When did Isabelle pass away?
Isabelle died on August 16, 1986, in Los Angeles at age 74.
References
| Source | Description |
|---|---|
| https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Lancaster-6630 | Provides Isabelle Margaret Swanigan’s birth date (February 27, 1912), birth name (Isabel Margaret Lancaster), and parentage (daughter of Mack N. Lancaster and Gertrude Stevens). |
| https://www.dicytrends.com/isabelle-margaret-swanigan-love-story-of-jester-hairston-and-his-wife/ | Documents Isabelle’s second marriage to Jester Hairston in 1939. |
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jester_Hairston | Summarizes Jester Hairston’s birth (July 9, 1901), career as composer/actor, and key works like “Amen” and “Mary’s Boy Child.” |
| https://exhibits.tufts.edu/spotlight/another-light/feature/jester-hairston | Notes Jeanne‑Marie Swann as Jester Hairston’s daughter and Isabelle’s stepdaughter. |
| https://www.amazon.com/Hairstons-American-Family-Black-White/dp/0312253931 | References the book *The Hairstons: An American Family in Black and White* by Henry Wiencek, detailing the family’s history and legacy. |
| https://www.hairston.org/ | Official Hairston family history website outlining their origins, plantation holdings, and genealogical information. |
| https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2023/12/01/hairston-family-baseball-legacy/ | Cronkite News article (Dec 1, 2023) on the next generation of the Hairston family pursuing Major League Baseball careers. |
| https://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-family-in-black-and-white/ | CBS News feature on the Hairston family’s efforts at reconciliation and their bi‑racial reunions. |
| https://seedandspark.com/fund/tracing-the-hairstons | Seed&Spark campaign page for a documentary project *Tracing the Hairstons*, exploring their shared history. |
| https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/ROA-Times/issues/1994/rt0994/940903/09060033.htm | Roanoke Times article covering the Hairston family tree reunions and efforts to nurture their roots. |
