Reverend Richard Lee Swisher, age 80, of Dalton, Georgia, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Saturday afternoon, April 12, 2014 at the Heritage Health Care of Fort Oglethorpe. Reverend Swisher was born November 17, 1933 in Fairmont, West Virginia, a son of the late Dennis Ward and Sarah Mae Huffman Swisher. He was also preceded in death by a son, Jonathan Daryl Swisher, a daughter, Sarah Irene Swisher, a granddaughter, Jacqueline Nicole Keith, son-in-law, Jackie Keith and brothers, Sonny Wilderman and Owen Swisher.

Reverend Swisher was a graduate of Reevesville High School in Reevesville, WV, and received his masters of education at University of Tenneseeof Knoxville , TN. He taught education for the giftedfor many years. He was an ordained minister in the Church of God and was the pastor of many churches in California, West Virginia, Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. He was a member of the Valley Brook Church of God.

He is survived by his loving wife, Annie Pope Swisher and would have celebrated their fifty-ninth wedding anniversary, May 25, 2014; son and daughter-in-law, David and Susie Swisher of Stanley, NC; daughter, Rene Keith of Rocky Face, GA; grandchildren, Josh Swisher, Michael and Ashley Keith, Amanda Swisher, Danielle Keith, James and Joyce Keith, Tracey and John Klarner, great-grandchildren, Connor Keith, Phillip Keith, Aubrey Cassell, James and Heather Walkey, April Smith, Monica Keith, Danny and Holly Walkey, John and Amber Keith, David Keith, Reece and Leigha Klarner; fifteen great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Service to celebrate the life of Reverend Richard Lee Swisher will be held Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Valley Brook Church of God, 1474 Mineral Springs Rd., Dalton, GA, 30721with Reverend Junior Clayton officiating. He will be laid to rest at United Memorial Gardens with his close family serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at Ponders Melrose Chapel from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Monday evening and after 12:00 p.m. noon Tuesday at the church until the service hour.

Arrangements by Ponders Melrose Chapel, Dalton, GA. (706)226-4002 YOUR SELECTED INDEPENDENT FUNERAL HOME