Richard "Dick" Knox Swayze

Richard Knox Swayze, Sr. died peacefully Tuesday, June18, 2024 at Highland Home in Ridgeland MS.

Rev. Swayze was born in Jackson, MS, April 27, 1934.  He attended Jackson public schools and graduated from Central High School in 1952.  He was a member of First Presbyterian Church during his childhood and youth.  Rev. Swayze graduated from Wheaton College, Wheaton IL, in 1956 and entered Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur GA, where he graduated in 1959.  He was ordained in July 1959 in the Presbyterian Church (PCUS) in Shreveport LA, where he became the first installed pastor of the John Calvin Presbyterian Church.

In 1958 Rev. Swayze was married to Mary Elizabeth Richardson Swayze (Bibby) of Atlanta GA.  After his pastorate in Shreveport, together they served as evangelistic missionaries of the PCUS in Brazil from 1962-1976.  After their return to the United States, Rev. Swayze served as pastor of the Newnan Presbyterian Church, Newnan GA, from 1976-1983.  The Swayzes returned to Mississippi where he served as pastor of J. J. White Memorial Presbyterian Church in McComb MS (1983-1992) when he was called as pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Gulfport, MS (1992-2000). He was honorably retired by the Presbytery of Mississippi, Presbyterian Church (USA) on April 1, 2000.  At his request, “GRATEFUL PASTOR” will be imprinted on his grave marker.

After retirement Rev. Swayze served continuously in churches as interim and pulpit supply in Louisiana and Mississippi.  From 2002-2011 the Swayzes served as Brazil Consultants for The Outreach Foundation, Presbyterian Church, Inc., taking short-term mission groups to various areas of Brazil, including the Northeast, South Brazil, and the Amazon River Basin.  They facilitated in forming partnerships between the partner denomination in Brazil and Presbyterian congregations throughout the United States.

Rev. Swayze was preceded in death by his parents, Marion Beall (M. B.) Swayze and Elizabeth Knox Swayze, his brother Marion Rush Swayze, grandson Rankin Revel Rawlings, Jr. (Jake), grandparents Rush Hightower Knox and Florence Bigham Knox and Richard Swayze and Bertha Beall Swayze. 

He is survived by his wife of 66 years and four loving children:  Elizabeth Swayze Rawlings (Revel) of Ridgeland MS, Rev. Richard Knox Swayze, Jr. (Bev) of Montclair VA, Martha Ann Swayze Halus (Jeff) of Newnan GA, and Robert Beall Swayze (Meg) of Lexington KY, and eight grandchildren:  Ann Denney Lanier (Bradwell), William Swayze Denney, Claire Swayze, Carter Stephen Swayze (Elise), Swayze Knox Rawlings, Samuel Richardson Swayze, Benjamin Willoughby Swayze, Joseph Robert Swayze, and two step-grandchildren, Sydney Taylor (Ryan) and Jared Halus.  He is also survived by several cousins and recently became a great-grandfather to Knox Warren Swayze and Wells Lanier. 

Dick’s “likes”, found in his memory folder, were:  a crisp, extended drum roll, close four-part barbershop harmony, and a stirring John Philip Sousa march.

Also, in his notes was a quote about HEAVEN that described his Christian hope, “My knowledge of that life is small, the eye of faith is dim; but ‘tis enough that Christ knows all, and I shall be with him.”  (Source unknown, taken from Alexander Maclaren’s commentary on Colossians)

Graveside service will take place at Lakewood Cemetery for the family.

Memorial service and celebration of the Resurrection will be held at Briarwood Presbyterian Church, 620 Briarwood Drive, Jackson MS, Friday, June 21, 2024, at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to:  The Outreach Foundation, 381 Riverside Drive, Suite 465, Franklin, TN 37064 or to Briarwood Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 12532, Jackson MS  39236.

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