Mr. Arnold W. McSwain, age 96 of Shelby, NC, passed away Saturday, January 24, 2015 at Cleveland Pines Nursing Home in Shelby. Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at Cleveland Funeral Services Chapel conducted by Dr. Robert Rose. A visitation will be held from 12:30 - 2:00 pm prior to the service at the funeral home. Other times, the family will be at the home of Mike and Sally Baird. Burial will follow at Cleveland Memorial Park.

He is survived by a son, Charles A. McSwain and wife Iris of Belmont, NC, three grandchildren, Chuck Thompson of Shelby, NC, Sally Baird and husband Mike of Shelby, NC, and Karen McSwain of Belmont, NC, five great grandchildren, Mackinzey Baird, Caleb Baird, Abby Campbell, Ally Baird, and Troy Baird, a son-in-law, Dr. John L. Thompson, Jr. of Shelby, NC, and several nieces and nephews.

Born May 26, 1918 in Cleveland County, Mr. McSwain was the son of the late John Lawson and Ida (Black) McSwain and was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Gertrude (Hayes) McSwain, a daughter, Linda Thompson, two brothers and four sisters. Arnold was a faithful member of Zoar Baptist Church where he served as a Sunday school teacher for more than 45 years. Mr. McSwain served in the U.S. Army Infantry during WWII.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Zoar Baptist Church, 1740 S. Lafayette Street, Shelby, NC 28152 or Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150.

To sign the guest book, please go to www.clevelandfuneralservices.com

A service of Cleveland Funeral Services & Crematory, Inc.