Charles R. Swisher

Charles Ray “Charlie” Swisher entered his heavenly rest from his residence in Ripley, WV,on May 5, 2023.

He was born in Calhoun County, WV, the son of Toney D. and Dot Rogers Swisher. Upon graduation from Calhoun County High School, Charlie proudly and honorably served his country in the United States Marine Corps from 1961-1965. In 1963, he returned to Calhoun County to marry his high school sweetheart, Judith Lea Smith, in Grantsville, WV returning with her to Camp Lejeune, NC. Upon his discharge from the Marine Corps, he and Judy returned to Parkersburg, WV, whereupon he worked for Borg-Warner Chemicals, which became G.E. Plastics. Upon retiring from G.E. Plastics in 1990 to become resident director at the WV Baptist Conference Center (Parchment Valley), Ripley, WV, he and Judy worked as a team in that ministry until his retirement in 2004. While at Parchment Valley, he was instrumental in numerous improvements to the facility, with renovations and new construction culminating in the completion of the Santrock Education Building and the Joe Greenlee multipurpose building, initiatives of the Vision 2000 campaign. During these years at Parchment Valley, he also assisted in the founding of Parchment Valley Baptist Church, where he and his wife Judy served faithfully as charter members and in various offices and ministries of the church.

Charlie is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Rev. Greg and Melanie Swisher; four grandchildren, Jillian, Jacob, Cordell and Clayton; one grandson, Nathan; one brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Sue Swisher; a host of nieces and nephews; one special friend, Sheila Wheeler.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 53 years, Judy Swisher; one sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Don Carpenter; and two brothers, William “Bill” Swisher and Ronald “Chub” Swisher.

The family also extends a special note of recognition and appreciation to Debbie Keiffer of Kanawha Hospice for her faithful and tender care for Charlie during his homegoing.

Visitation will be held from 10 am until 1 pm on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 in the Hill Hall at the West Virginia Baptist Conference Center, 1715 Parchment Valley Road, Ripley, WV. Funeral Service will be at 1:00 pm officiated by Rev. Greg Swisher, Dr. Matt Ash and Rev. Herman Robinson.

The family respectfully requests no flowers or memorial items, but per Charlie’s wishes, donations may be made to the Parchment Valley Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Parchment Valley Baptist Church, 1883 Ripley Road, Ripley, WV 25271, designated for the continued construction of the multipurpose facility.