Pastor Benjamin 'Ben' R. Swopes

Pastor Benjamin 'Ben' R. Swopes, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday morning, April 27, 2023 from his home in Morgantown. He was 70 years old.

Ben was born February 28, 1953 in Indianapolis, to his parents, the late Benjamin R. Sr. and Alma Louise (Roberts) Swopes. He was a 1971 graduate of George Washington High School in Indianapolis and went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry from Indiana Baptist College in 1978 and his Master’s Degree in Divinity from Trinity Theological Seminary. Ben started his 44-year pastoring career in 1979 at the Hopewell Baptist Church in Newtown. In 1985, he became the Associate Pastor at the Griffith Baptist Church and then became Senior Pastor at the First Baptist Church in Plymouth in 1989. For the past 24 years, Ben was the Pastor for the Morgantown Baptist Church, where he fell just short of preaching his final sermon this coming Sunday before retiring.

Ben was a former member of the Nineveh-Hensley-Jackson School Board, Plymouth Kiwanis Club, and the Morgantown Town Board, where he served as past President. Ben enjoyed traveling and riding his motorcycle with his wife, Julie. He also enjoyed playing several instruments since the age of 8 and reading Christian and theology books. Ben will be remembered for driving around in his convertible, his love for his family, church family and his unyielding faith in God.

He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Julie Ann (Warner) Swopes, whom he married on July 31, 1976 in Indianapolis. Ben is also survived by his children, Adriane (Rob) Pounders of Spring Hill, FL, Ashley (Brian) Cross of Franklin, Warner (Tiffany) Swopes of Morgantown & Collin (Melanie) Swopes of Pittsboro; grandchildren, Allison (Elliot) Bowden; Reagan Pounders, Titus Cross, Claire Cross, Hudson Swopes, Emery Swopes, Zoey Swopes, Duncan Swopes, Kelsey Swopes, Raylan Swopes, Jude Swopes, Harper Swopes & Iris Swopes.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Allison Swopes; siblings, David Adkins, Thomas Adkins, Barb Umversol & Adah Adams.

Pastor Warner Swopes will conduct a funeral service at 10 a.m. on Monday at the Morgantown Baptist Church, 109 W. Elm Street in Morgantown. Friends may call from 3-7 p.m. on Sunday at the church. Burial will be at the Morgantown Baptist Cemetery. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Meredith-Clark Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center in Morgantown. 

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Ben to the Acton Academy of Morgantown, 129 N. Marion St. Morgantown, IN 46160 or Gideons International, PO Box 97251 Washington DC 20090-7251. 

Condolences may be made to the Swopes family at meredith-clark.com.

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