Tammy was born on January 8, 1966 in Madison, WI. She moved to Clovis, NM as a child, where she graduated from Clovis High School in 1984. There, she married Henry "Hank" Wade Swanson, Jr. on July 2, 1987. Tammy enjoyed being outdoors, and was an avid animal lover. She enjoyed tending to her many animals and occasional gardening. More than anything, she loved her family and loved being "Mama" to all of them.

She is survived by her husband, Henry "Hank" Swanson, Jr.; 2 sons, Branden Wade Swanson and Jerin Allan Swanson and wife Kiarra , all of Amarillo; father, Roy Atwell of Clovis, NM; mother, Teresa Ortegel of Gillette, WI; brother, Bryan Allen Brashear of Gillette, WI; father-in-law, Henry "Hank" Swanson, Sr. of Amarillo and 2 grandchildren, Emalee Elizabeth Spadi of Florida and Sienna Rose Bennett of Wyoming.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Jayni Jo Swanson.