Edwin Swanigan

Edwin Swanigan was born on July 19, 1955, in Colorado Springs, Colorado to the late Hezekiah and Willie Dillon Swanigan, the third of seven children.  In 1973, he graduated from McComb High School in McComb, MS, where he excelled in the high school band playing several instruments.  He received an associate degree from Southwest Junior College in Summit, MS and then attended Jackson State University (JSU).  After a year at JSU, he left to join the United States Coast Guard and served for 22 years.  His last tour of duty brought him and his family to North Texas, where he served in Fort Worth, TX as an Equal Employment Opportunity Investigator.

During his Coast Guard career, Edwin served as a Yeoman working in administration.  He served in San Francisco, California; Boston, MA; New Orleans, LA; Wilmington, N.C.; Washington, D.C.; and his many travels also took him as far as England and the North Pole on an icebreaker ship.  He received numerous awards during his service including five Good Conduct Medals, two Commendation Medals, the Humanitarian Service Medal, two Unit Commendations, and an Outstanding Unit Award. On December 1, 1998, he retired from the United States Coast Guard as a Chief Warrant Officer 3.

On August 1, 1981, he married Sharon Ridley, and to this union 2 sons were born, Jeremy Edwin and Joshua Eric. 

Edwin was baptized at the Franklin Street Church of Christ in Gretna, LA by Bro. Joseph Alexander. Immediately after baptism, Edwin went to work in the Education Department, began to teach classes, and was instrumental in growing the church at that location.  After leaving the New Orleans area, Edwin was transferred to USCG Headquarters in Washington, D.C.  He and Sharon placed membership with the Southeast Church of Christ in Temple Hills, MD (currently Beltway COC) where Dr. Bruce McClure served as pulpit minister.  While worshipping there, Edwin accepted a position as Associate Minister responsible for the Youth Ministry and was active in the Evangelism Ministry, assisting with a newly-planted church in Delaware.  After his tour of duty in D.C., Edwin was transferred to Fort Worth, TX.  Once the family settled in North Texas, they placed membership with the Southern Hills Church of Christ in Dallas, TX where they worked with Dr. James Maxwell.  While serving at Southern Hills, Edwin was responsible for the Education Ministry and also worked in several other capacities.  Upon Dr. Maxwell’s retirement, the family then moved their membership to the Greenville Avenue Church of Christ in Richardson, TX.  

Edwin loved hunting, fishing, music, and most of all his family and friends, and always did whatever he could to make them happy. 

He entered his rest on January 24, 2023, at the Royse City Medical Lodge in Royse City, TX after a very lengthy illness.  He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Van and Darryl.     

He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife of 41 years, Sharon; two sons, Jeremy and Joshua (Danielle); two granddaughters, Layla Rose and Mya Elise; three brothers, Reginald (Janis) Swanigan, Adrian Swanigan, and Keith (Wendy) Swanigan of Summit, MS; his sister, Ellen Swanigan of Summit, MS; two sisters-in-law; Ramona Ridley and Janice Ridley Moffett of Hattiesburg, MS; two brothers-in-law; Ronald (Joyce) Ridley and Randall Ridley, both of Summit, MS; two special nephews; Darren and Brent Moffett of Dallas, TX; and a host of nieces, nephews, and very dear friends.

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