Promoted to Glory: Major Nellie Swimm
Major Nellie Swimm was Promoted to Glory on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the age of 82.
Nellie Ray Baker was born to Ray and Hazel Baker in Norfolk, VA on November 6, 1942, the youngest of their large family.
When Ray passed away in 1956, the family moved in with Nellie’s oldest sister and her family until 1957 when her mom remarried. It was then she had her first contact with The Salvation Army. She stated that this encounter was the turning point in her life. Nellie and her siblings were raised in a Christian home, but she found the Army to be quite different from other churches she had attended before.
Nellie was enrolled as a soldier in 1958. In her candidate’s paperwork she wrote, “I have always felt since coming to the Army that the aim and concern was for people and their needs, to reach those that otherwise would not have [their material and spiritual needs met].”
It was also around this time that Nellie met the love of her life, Frank Swimm; they were married on December 30, 1960. Before entering the Training College, Nellie was very involved in her corps, helping with junior soldiers, Sunday school, selling The War Cry, and in many other areas of service the corps offered.
Frank and Nellie Swimm entered the Evangeline Booth College in 1971 as members of the Blood & Fire session of cadets. They were ordained and commissioned with the rank of Lieutenant on June 10, 1973.
Majors Frank and Nellie Swimm spent their entire illustrious career serving in Adult Rehabilitation Centers (ARCs) across the Southern Territory: Houston, TX; Atlanta, GA; Tulsa, OK; Baltimore, MD; Orlando, FL; and Northern Virginia (Alexandria). They were honorably retired from active Salvation Army officership in June 2002.
Major Nellie Swimm is predeceased by her parents and her beloved husband of over 61 years. She is survived by her two daughters: Cheryl (Klon, Jr.) Kitchen, and Major Jacqulyn (Lewis) Reckline; seven grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the Waxahachie Corps in Texas.