Nathan Swanigan Sr.

Nathan Swanigan Sr., 89 of Wheatley, formerly of DeValls Bluff passed away on Sunday morning, October 15 at Baptist Health Medical Center in Stuttgart. Nathan was the widower of Rovella-Watson Swanigan.

Nathan was born March 6, 1934 in DeValls Bluff, Arkansas to Walter Swanigan and Fannie Walker-Swanigan.

Nathan received his early education from the Biscoe Public School System. He attended Biscoe High School.

For more than 30 plus years, Nathan was the pastor of First Freewill Baptist Church in Brinkley, succeeding the late Reverend Will Swanigan. He was a consecrated bishop in the Freewill Baptist Church for many years. Growing up in DeValls Bluff, the Honey Creek Community, he was baptized and became a member of Union Chapel Freewill Baptist Church. While growing up in Union Chapel he became one of the founding members of the local gospel singers, The Cheerful Rights.

Nathan was formerly employed with the city of Wheatley's Street Department until he retired. He had previously been employed as a Truck Driver for Hillman Davis for many years. In his early years, he had been employed with the Rock Island Railroad.

His wife Rovella Swanigan, three sons: Lee Andrew Swanigan, Patrick Swanigan and Nathan Swanigan Jr.; his parents: Reverend Walter Swanigan and Fannie Swanigan; two brothers: Houston Swanigan and McKinley Swanigan and a sister Zelma Williams all preceded Nathan in death.

Survivors are: three sons: Albert Swanigan of Champaign, IL; Antonio Swanigan of DeValls Bluff, AR; and Lamont (Felicia) Swanigan Sr. of Brinkley, AR; his daughter Opal (Perry) Allen of Biscoe, AR; a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren; his brother Sylvester (Nora Jean) Swanigan of DeValls Bluff, AR; a sister-in-law Belinda Swanigan of Little Rock, AR; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 21 at 10 AM at the Brinkley Convention Center, 1501 Weatherby Drive in Brinkley with Reverend Lamont Swanigan Sr. officiating. Interment will take place at Pilgrim Rest Cemetery in Wheatley by C.J. Williams Funeral Directors and Cremations of Brinkley (870) 589-5036 email: williamsfuneraldirectors2022@gmail.com  and web address; www.williamsfuneraldirectors.net <http://www.williamsfuneraldirectors.net>

Pallbearers: Ken Lowe Sr., Ken Harvey Jr., Albert Smith, Steven Payne., Marcus Barnett and Marvin Barnett.