Rev. Phillip McSwain

Today we celebrate the life and legacy of Reverend Phillip Homer McSwain, 94, who died, August 8, 2014. Reverend McSwain was born on January 18, 1920, and raised in the community of Greenville, South Carolina. He began his ministry in the Church of God as an evangelist at the age of seventeen. He married Annette Pearl McSwain in 1939 and they began a 66-year ministry together. He served as a state evangelist for South Carolina. Reverend McSwain pastored churches in South Carolina, Michigan, and Ohio. In addition, he built and pastored the prestigious National Church of God in Washington, D.C. He also planted 30+ churches out of this congregation. He served the Church of God as a popular and respected administrative bishop in Maine, Massachusetts, Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee. Reverend McSwain concluded his service to his denomination as a missions representative. His love of missions, especially the countries of Africa and India, was a significant part of his adult ministry. He loved his family and was an avid collector of coins and knives. He was preceded in death by his wife, Annette Pearl Sweezy McSwain, parents, Mary Amanda McSwain and Preston Avon Homer McSwain; brothers: John and JB, and sisters, Maggie, Ruthie, Lucy, and Annie Mae. He is survived by his loving daughter Myrna McSwain Alford, his son-in-law, Dr. Delton Lynol Alford; one brother William McSwain; his grandchildren, Susan and Scot Carter, Candy and Tim Price, and Lesley and Andy Smith; and his great-grandchildren Kaity Carter, Caroline Carter, Emma Smith, Ansley Smith, and Noah Price. The family will receive friends on Sunday, August 10, 2014 from 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. at the Dixon Chapel of North Cleveland Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee. A Celebration of Life and Ministry service will be conducted at the Praise Cathedral Church of God, Greer, South Carolina, on Monday, August 11, 2014, at 2 p.m. officiated by Dr. Delton Alford, Reverend Jerry Madden, and Reverend James Byrd. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the funeral hour at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions can be made to the Noah Alford Price Care Fund at YouCaring.com (http://www.youcaring.com/other/noah-alford-price-care-fund/214086) Grissom Serenity Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Mark S. Grissom, Funeral Director, has charge of the arrangements. Courtesy of The Wood Mortuary, Inc.

Rev. Phillip McSwain

January 18, 1920 - August 8, 2014