Charles Edward "Ed" Swaim

Mr. Charles Edward” Ed” Swaim went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, December 31, 2021. He was born April 2, 1937, in Davidson County, to the late Charles Ray Swaim and Lucille Allen Swaim. Ed grew up in Thomasville and attended Unity Methodist Church. He graduated from Thomasville High School in 1955 and attended the Harris Advertising School of Art in Nashville, TN. He served six years in the Army National Guard (1960-66) and had a 20-year career at RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company, working in the Graphic Arts Department.  Ed was preceded in death by his devoted and cherished wife of 56 years, Sarah Lynn Wooten Swaim. He leaves behind his daughter, Regina Swaim King (Richard) and grandson, Christian; beloved brothers, Richard Swaim (Jane) of Cincinnati, Ohio, Steve Swaim (Debbie) of Thomasville, NC, Mark Swaim (Susan) of Mesa, Arizona; and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.  Ed was such a truly devoted and loving husband and father. Ed and Sarah loved, enjoyed, laughed with, supported, and cared for each other throughout their marriage. Their love and support endured their own health issues, including Ed’s serious illness in the 1980’s where his recovery included learning to walk, write and speak again and during his 2014 cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatments. Ed often said it was a miracle he was alive so many years later. They attended church together (First UCC and Waughtown Baptist Church) and Ed joined West Side Baptist in 2021 with his daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. Ed’s daughter holds dear the many memories of his family devotion, love, good nature, work ethic, humbleness, joy of life, selflessness, and faith in God.  Ed’s God given artistic ability was a huge part of his life and was first nurtured by his mother Lucille, showing him how to draw a songbird. After retirement, Ed continued his lifelong passion and love of art and illustration. He created many paintings and renderings of Old Salem, landscapes, people, and wildlife, often using mediums of watercolors, oils, alkyds, and acrylics. Ed’s tremendous love of nature is so evident in many of his works of art. Ed often described scenes from nature with such vivid imagery and details often unnoticed by others. He often loved to include unique details in his artwork, such as some form of action, wildlife, person, or object and often contained scenes reflecting the beauty of nature, created by God. Ed had two paintings selected for inclusion in the North Carolina Wildlife Calendar (1990 and 2015) and was commissioned for works of art by others.   Some of Ed’s favorite artists were Robert B. Dance and N. C. Wyeth and he held a deep appreciation and love of their artistic works and talents.  Another of Ed’s great passions was his love of gardening. First learning from his father Ray, Ed grew gardens at his home every year. He enjoyed working, preparing the soil, deciding the selections to plant, nurturing the new sprouts and growth, and cultivating each plant until harvest. Much produce was enjoyed throughout his life, which included blueberries, figs, green beans, tomatoes, corn, peanuts, cantaloupe, watermelons, scuppernongs, and more. Ed’s love of nature included his love of animals, and he had many beloved pets throughout the years and assisted as a vet tech for a time.  Other special times and hobbies included time with family, friends, exercise and nutrition, travel, photography, birdwatching, Atlantic Beach trips, hunting, fishing, playing Jenga, checkers, Bridge, playing his harmonica, clogging, and listening to bluegrass music. Ed learned and then taught clogging for a while in the 1990’s and enjoyed attending festivals where bluegrass music and clogging took place. He enjoyed playing his harmonica over the phone or in person with his brother Mark. He enjoyed his visits and talks with brother Steve, and Facetime calls with his brother Richard and his wife Jane. Ed enjoyed traveling with his family to Atlantic Beach for many years and enjoyed the beauty of the ocean, pier fishing, the Jetty at Fort Macon, Cox’s Restaurant and relaxing at the Oceanana Motel.  Ed spent the last two years after Sarah’s passing, living with his daughter, son-in-law, and grandson and they deeply cherish the time spent with Ed and saw firsthand his determination, compassion, faith, love, and God at work. The family sincerely offers their deepest gratitude and appreciation to many: Trellis of Winston-Salem (Cindy, Laura, Madeline, Charlene, Mary, Beverly, Frances, KBR) that provided such loving and compassionate care; Dr. Robert Kelly, MD, and staff; extended family, friends, coworkers, West Side Baptist Church and Pastor Christa Warise, and you will forever be imprinted in their hearts and memories.  Funeral services will be held at West Side Baptist Church at 2:00 pm on Friday, January 7, 2022, with Rev. Christa Warise officiating.  Interment will follow at Waughtown Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 6, 2022, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Ln., Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or West Side Baptist Church, 595 South Peace Haven Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27103.  Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.