Rev. James Paul Swadley

Rev. James Paul Swadley, affectionately known as Swad, was born in Springfield, Aug. 23, 1928 to Rev. Lynn V. Swadley and Jestina (Little) Swadley. After attending many different rural schools, he graduated from Rogersville High School in 1946. He attended Southwest Baptist University and received his BA from Missouri State in 1958. He later earned his Masters of Divinity from Midwestern Seminary in 1961. SBU awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1975.
He married Elizabeth (Betty) Youngblood on June 1, 1947. To this union were added three children: John, Mark and Susan.
Swadley served two years in the United States Army including one year in Germany during the Korean War. While in Germany, he surrendered to the ministry and subsequently pastored four Missouri churches: Chestnut Ridge Baptist, First Baptist Rogersville, First Baptist Richland, and South Haven Baptist in Springfield where he retired after 25 years. Following retirement, Swad served over a dozen churches in Missouri and Colorado as interim pastor.
He served many years as president of the Board of the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home, and was an entertaining auctioneer, raising thousands of dollars to help children in need. He also served as president of the Missouri Baptist Convention in 1978.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bob, sisters Lela and Doris, and daughter Susan. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Elizabeth (Betty), son John (Sheri), Pastor, Forest Park Baptist Church, Joplin, son Mark (Beth), Minister of Music, Lone Oak First Baptist Church, Paducah, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, Silas and Avery Bloyd, one brother, LV “Junior” Swadley, and several nieces and nephews.
Because of the pandemic no formal visitation will be held but friends were invited to pay their respects at Greenlawn South Funeral Home from noon to 5 pm on Tuesday, March 9. A celebration of life was at noon Wednesday, March 10, at South Haven Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to South Haven Baptist Church, care of Greenlawn South.