Betsy F. McSwain

Published 9:24 am Thursday, April 17, 2025

LENOIR, NC – Betsy Anne Forbis McSwain, 85, of Lenoir, NC died Monday, April 14, 2025. Betsy was born on January 6, 1940 in Mecklenburg County.

Betsy was the daughter of the late William Blake Forbis and Mildred Anne Godfrey Forbis. She was a retired elementary school teacher of over 30 years. In addition to education, she served in ministry, separate and alongside her husband, Rev. Ronald W. McSwain. Betsy was an active member and leader in each church they served, Baptist associations, and state Baptist organizations. For over 13 years, she was able to serve, with her strong passion, as the NC WMU Ministers’ Spouses Support Coordinator. In each community she lived, she was an active leader and member of civic, education, and religious organizations.

In addition to her parents, Betsy was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Rev. Ronald W. McSwain, her 3 brothers, Donald Forbis, Wayne Forbis, Jeff Forbis and nephew, Danny Forbis.

Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Esther and Will Wakefield, her grandson, Elijah Wakefield and 4 nieces and 4 nephews.

A special thank you to Katie Kaufman and all the staff at Brookdale Lenoir, Shaire Center, and Amorem, who provided excellent care for Betsy.

A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of Lenoir on Sunday, May 4, 2025 at 2:30 pm.

The family will receive friends at 1:30 pm on May 4, 2025 at the church. She will be inurned at Forest Lawn Cemetery West Community Mausoleum in Charlotte at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to The Ronald W. and Betsy F. McSwain CCSA Endowed Scholarship at Chowan University, Attn: Office of Advancement, One University Place, Murfreesboro, NC 27855, or www.chowan.edu/give or to First Baptist Church Lenoir, 304 North Main Street, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home of Lenoir is serving the McSwain family.