Rev. John Washington Swails Jr. passed away Saturday, June 12, 2010, at the age of 94. He was loved dearly, respected deeply, and will be missed greatly.
"John W. Swails was a mighty man of the Word," says Dr. Michael Stewart, President of Emmanuel College. "His Bible teaching and preaching has informed and inspired several generations. I fondly remember sitting in many of his classes in awe of his knowledge, memory, and command of the truths of the Holy Scriptures.
"Although Rev. Swails was world-renown as a preacher and teacher, he was a humble servant of Jesus Christ who loved people, especially his family. His gentleness, meekness and laughter will long be remembered.
"The history of Emmanuel College will always be intertwined with the legacy of John W. Swails. He has left a mark on the lives of thousands of people," President Stewart says. "He was more than a teacher; he was a motivator, a mentor, and a friend."
In the late 1990s, Emmanuel purchased and remodeled a former clock manufacturing building near the college's main entrance on Highway 29 in Franklin Springs. It is the college's main auditorium and serves the campus and community well for chapel services, banquets, graduations, conferences, concerts and theatrical productions. It was named in honor of Rev. Swails, who taught 31 years at EC before retiring from teaching in 1982.
Rev. Swails talked about that during an interview a few years ago. “They asked if I'd like to have that building named after me, and it was really needed for the college. It's a great honor...(read more)."
Funeral services for Rev. Swails are at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 15, at the John W. Swails Center on the Emmanuel College Campus with Dr. David Hopkins, Rev. David Richardson and Dr. A.D. Beacham officiating. Burial will follow in the Franklin Springs City Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Monday evening at the Swails Center on the Emmanuel College Campus. The family is at the home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Emmanuel College for the John W. Swails Scholarship. Please email Brian James for more information or telephone the college at (706) 245-7226 or (800) 860-8800.
Obituary
Rev. John Washington Swails Jr. was born in Andrews, S.C., November 26, 1915, and was the son of the late John Washington Swails Sr. and the late Minnie Kallahan Swails. He was a retired pastor and teacher and member of the Holy Trinity Pentecostal Holiness Church in Andrews, S.C. Rev. Swails was married first to the late Glenda Baldwin Swails and second to Mrs. Sylvia Williams Swails of Franklin Springs.
Survivors, in addition to his wife, include sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. John and Joy Swails III of Tulsa, Okla., Rev. Joseph and Susan Swails of Georgetown, S.C., Dr. James R. and Deborah Swails of Franklin Springs, and Marcus Travia Williams of Greenville, N.C.; grandchildren, John W. Swails IV, Jana Pitts, Jaffa Szymanski, Jessica Smith, Joel Swails, Aaron Pierce, Ryan Swails, Summer Heil and Sydnah Swails; 11 great grandchildren; and sister, Ethel Smith of Murrells Inlet, S.C.
Condolences my be posted online at Pruitt Funeral Home.
