Rev. Herbert R. Plummer Sr., retired pastor of Swansboro Baptist Church, dies at 86
10/28/2021, 6 p.m.
The Rev. Herbert Ralph Plummer Sr., who led Swansboro Baptist Church in South Side for 47 years, has died.
A Richmond native, Rev. Plummer succumbed to illness on Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, his family said. He was 86.
His life was celebrated Thursday, Oct. 21, at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Glen Allen, and he was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
A Henrico County resident most of his life, Rev. Plummer began his entry into ministry at Fair Oaks Baptist Church where he was ordained as a deacon at age 18.
He later attended Virginia Union University and the Washington Bible College before being called in 1964 at age 29 to
pastor Swansboro Baptist Church in the 3800 block of Midlothian Turnpike.
Rev. Plummer continued in the post until he retired in 2011.
He died on the same day as one his best friends, the Rev. E. Walter Anderson Jr., 89, former pastor of Parrish Hill Baptist Church in Charles City County and Mt. Oni Baptist Church in Caroline County.
Survivors include Rev. Plummer’s wife of 63 years, Mabel B. Plummer; three sons, Anthony D. Plummer, Herbert R. Plummer Jr. and Randall D. Plummer; a daughter, Monica P. Newby; a sister, Bishop Pauline Stokes; 12 grandchildren; and great- and great-great grandchildren.