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AHOSKIE – The Reverend Ronald Wood McSwain, 78, of 305 North Colony Avenue, died Saturday, December 19, 2020, in Duke University Medical Center, Durham.

Rev. McSwain was born on March 27, 1942, in Rowan County and was the son of the late Henry Worth and Martha Esther Wood McSwain. A retired Baptist Minister, he had served his Lord pastoring at South China Grove Baptist Church (China Grove), Dunn’s Mountain Baptist Church (Salisbury), Lawndale Baptist Church (Lawndale), Greenland Avenue Baptist Church (Charlotte), Mount Pleasant Baptist Church (Mooresboro), and Earlys Baptist Church (Ahoskie). During his last pastorate, he also served as the Director of Church Relations at Chowan University in Murfreesboro. At the time of his death, he was a member of First Baptist Church of Ahoskie, and was serving on the Board of Visitors at Chowan University. In each community he lived and served, he was an active leader and member of civic, education, and religious organizations.

Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Betsy Anne Forbis McSwain; his daughter, Esther McSwain Wakefield and husband, William, of Lenoir; a grandson, Elijah McSwain Wakefield of Arden; two sisters, Gail Lancaster (husband, Mac, deceased) of Lawndale, and Emily Wicker (husband, Barry) of Concord; four nieces and four nephews.

A memorial service celebrating his life and ministry is being planned for a later time, and will be held at First Baptist Church of Ahoskie. His cremated remains will be inurned at Forest Lawn Cemetery West Community Mausoleum in Charlotte.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to The Ronald W. and Betsy F. McSwain CCSA Missions Endowment Foundation at Chowan University, Attn: Office of Advancement, One University Place, Murfreesboro, NC 27855, or First Baptist Church of Ahoskie, P.O. Box 649, Ahoskie, NC 27910.

To offer online condolences to the family, and to follow the updating of the memorial service arrangements, please visit www.millerfhc.com.

Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, is assisting the family with arrangements.