Donnie Ray Swails

Surrounded by his loving family, Donnie Ray Swails, at age 90, left his earthly life on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at Richmond Pines Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Hamlet, North Carolina.

Donnie was born November 29, 1934, in Richmond County, a son of the late Claude Cecil Swails and Elma Mae Anderson Swails. He was owner and operator of Swails Shoe Service in Richmond Plaza Shopping Center in Rockingham for many years. Donnie loved Southern Gospel Singing and throughout his adult life he has sungwith several groups, the latest with his brothers Horace and Jerry. They recorded several CDs and sang across North Carolina and other states.

In addition to his parents, Donnie was preceded in death by his loving wife, Imogene Swails, daughter June Swails Cox, son Gary Swails, step-daughter Sonya Scott, brothers Cecil Swails, Roy Swails and sisters Faye Webb Boger and Retha Ratliff.

Donnie is survived by his brothers William "Bill" Swails (Johnnie), Horace Swails, Jerry Swails (Janice), sister Ruth Black (William), son Ronnie Swails (Kathy), step-daughters Kathy Ragan (Eugene), Sylvia Hinshaw (James), several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held from 12:45 – 1:45 pm on Friday, September 26, 2025 at Carter Funeral Home in Rockingham, NC followed by a funeral in the chapel at 2:00 pm. Burial will be held privately in Richmond County Memorial Park.

The family would like to thank the staff at Richmond Pines Healthcare in Hamlet, NC and Cardinal Hospice for the loving care they gave to Donnie. A special thanks to Hospice nurse Chaise Greene who has been a blessing to us.