Rev. Swayne Garvin Carlan

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me that day.”  2 Timothy 4:7-8

On January 29, 2024 at 7:57pm, Rev. Swayne Garvin Carlan received his crown of righteousness, peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 40 years, Bonnie Sue Garrison Carlan; parents, Johnny and Annie Mae Reid Carlan; brothers, Hoyt and Randall Carlan; and sisters, Mildred Wilson and Grace Gowder.

He is survived by his wife of 10 ½ years, Queenola Roberts Forrester Carlan; daughters, Cretia (Mark) Ariail, Jennifer (Jim) Kent, Lawayne (Jason) Oliver and Amanda “Mandy” Bowen; grandchildren, Ashley (Mike) Ormsby, Lindsey (Kyle) Martin, Alisha (Adam) Sinteff, Haden Ariail, Isaac Kent, Hannah Kent, Gabriel Oliver, Molly Oliver, Rebecca Bowen and Garrison Bowen; great-grandchildren, Gracie, Jeb and Hattie Kate Sinteff, and Everly and Sophie Martin; step-sons, Keith (Kathy) Forrester, Pat (Toni) Forrester and Brian Forrester; sisters, Thelma Brown, Evelyn Baker and Brenda Garrison; and brothers, Gene Carlan and Paul Carlan.

Mr. Carlan graduated from Banks County High School in 1958, one of ten siblings who all graduated from high school.  He also graduated from mechanic school at North Georgia Technical and Vocational School.  He drove a feed truck at night while attending technical school.  He worked at a service station in Commerce where he met his first wife, Bonnie.  He then worked at American Tire for several years, saving up money to buy land and starting a crop, cattle and poultry farm.

Mr. Carlan was saved on September 1, 1974 and was called to preach on November 30, 1975.  He pastored Liberty Baptist Church for many years and was interim pastor at Line Baptist Church for a short time.  He preached many revivals during his ministry.  He felt led to start a new church in Maysville and on July 3, 1983 the doors of Solid Rock Baptist Church were opened in an old store building in downtown Maysville.  After several years a new building was constructed.  He was pastor at Solid Rock for 36 years.  In the fall of 1989, Solid Rock Christian School opened and remained open until 1997, closing when Bonnie’s health declined.  He preached at the Banks County Jail every Tuesday night for many years.  He had a radio ministry, “The Way of the Cross”, at WJJC radio station in Commerce where he preached for 30 minutes before going on to church to teach Sunday School, then preach the morning and evening services.  He also had a radio ministry at WCON radio in Cornelia, which he eventually taped rather than speaking live.

When he was not attending a church function, he was visiting the sick in the community, lending a helping hand and praying faithfully.  He enjoyed working on his farm and restoring antique John Deere tractors with his youngest daughter, Mandy who shares his love of farming and tractors, and who lovingly took care of him, along with his wife, until his passing.

He believed the most important factor in life is knowing Jesus as your personal savior.  He wants everyone to join him in Heaven.

Funeral services will be at 2pm, Thursday, February 1 at the chapel of Little-Ward Funeral Home with Rev. Les Fuller, Rev. Terry Head and Rev. Tony Ledford officiating.  Interment will follow in Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday from 4 to 8pm. 

Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce is in charge of arrangements.