KNOXVILLE – Reverend Harold Bernard Swinger departed this life Friday, January 18, 2019 after an extended illness. He was born August 04, 1941 in Atlanta, Georgia to the late Eugene J. Swinger, Sr. and the late Bennie Mae Swinger. He was the second oldest of five children born to that union.
He graduated from David T. Howard High School in 1959. His employment history included working several years as a welder in his father’s ornamental ironworks business. He would later work for Knoxville Community Development Center (KCDC) as a maintenance technician where he retired after many productive years.
He joined Bethlehem Church of God Holiness in Atlanta, Georgia at an early age and was a faithful member for many years. He later moved his membership to Beulah Church of God Holiness in Knoxville, TN. where he served as a local minister, member of the Deacon and Trustee Boards, building committee, Sunday School Superintendent, and Chorister of the church choir, until his passing.
Reverend Swinger was joined in holy matrimony to Suzette Ballew on March 5, 2011. Suzette was the love of his life and they shared every year of their married enriched and inspired by the vows that they took “in sickness and health until death do we part”.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and devoted wife, Suzette Swinger, daughters, Alphretta Ellis of Detroit, MI , Harralyn (James) Rawls of Atlanta, GA, April (Steven)Taylor, Mona Smith and Yolanda Joiner all from Knoxville, TN sons, Stan (Carolyn) Glenn of Minneapolis, MN, Alonzo (Shalonda) Swinger of Atlanta, GA., and James Joiner of Knoxville, TN; sisters, Naomi (Amos) Beasley and Antoinette Swinger, brothers, Elder Eugene (Eunice) Swinger, Jr. of Maryville, TN and Nathaniel Swinger of Atlanta, GA.; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, godchildren and other relatives as well as the Beulah Knoxville church family.
Family will receive friends, 12-1 p.m., Saturday at Beulah Church of God; funeral service, 1 p.m., Elder John R. Alexander, Pastor Officiating. Interment Mount Olive Cemetery. Arrangements by JARNIGAN & SON MORTUARY www.jarnigansmortuary.com