Oscar Wilburn Swaim, Jr of Piney Grove passed away on  24 October 2024. A devoted husband, father, and pastor, he passed after a brief illness.

Wilburn, as he was known, was born on May 4, 1940, the fifth son of the late Oscar Wilburn Swaim and the late Flossie Mae Hemrick Swaim. His mother, as a single mom, raised him in Winston-Salem, NC. He graduated from Hanes High School in 1958 and entered the army immediately, serving two stints as a helicopter mechanic stationed in, among other places, Germany and Korea. In 1959, having met Marnie Faye Jordan while both were employed at Sears, they married. They were married for 61 years and they had three children, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Faye preceded him in death in 2020.

In 1965, while stationed in Fort Eustis, VA, Wilburn sensed a call to ministry. He enrolled in Piedmont Bible College in 1966, graduating cum laude in 1971 and the winner of the school’s Lehman Strauss award for excellence in expository preaching. Shortly before graduation, he accepted the call to pastor in Rich Square, NC. Over the next 25 years he pastored churches in Apex, Henderson, Epsom, and Eden, NC as well as serving as a school principal and an assistant pastor in Durham, NC. He concluded his pastoral ministry in Bassett, VA.

As a pastor, Wilburn was a gifted teacher and preacher. He was gifted musically, playing the piano by sight and by ear, and he was a gifted singer. He was a committed evangelist leading may individuals to faith in Christ over the years, a commitment he maintained up until his death. He also displayed an unusual gift of faith, trusting God to supply financial needs both for himself and his pastorates and testifying to God’s provision in unusual ways.

Wilburn is survived by his three children, Mrs. Renee Kennedy (Everett) of Martinsville, VA, who served as his guardian and faithful companion in his later years, by Rev. Joseph Swaim (Pearl) of Grove City, PA, and Edwin “Eddie” Swaim of Desert Palm Springs, CA. In addition, one brother, Don Swaim (Bernice) of Kernersville, five of his grandchildren, and four great grandchildren survive along with several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family would like to express our gratitude to Piney Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for the care they showed Mr. Swaim for the 5 years he was in their care.

A time of visitation with family and friends will be held from 2:00PM to 4:00PM Monday, October 28, 2024, at Pierce-Jefferson Funeral Services, Kernersville, NC. A private interment will be held at a later date at Salisbury National Cemetery. 

Friends and family may offer online condolences at www.piercejeffersonfh.com