Albin B. "A.B." Swindell

Albin B. "A.B." Swindell
NASHVILLE - Albin B. Swindell IV passed away peacefully on October 23, 2025. A.B. was born on a Sunday morning in Lumberton, North Carolina, on October 14, 1945. He was the youngest of three children born to Martha Lottie Easterling and Russell Atkinson Swindell.
A lifelong outdoorsman, devoted statesman, and unforgettable storyteller, A.B. Swindell lived his life with grit, humor, and a deep sense of purpose, known for giving people the shirt off his back. Raised on a dairy farm in Hyde County, A.B. said he didn't choose duck hunting, it chose him. As one of the last Lake Mattamuskeet hunting guides in the late 1960s, A.B. honed both his hunting and storytelling skills, traits that would serve him well in politics and in forging friendships at his beloved Lone Goose Lodge.
A.B. was a true southern gentleman, an Army veteran, a 50-year Mason and Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge. For his wife Diane, he was absolutely perfect. Though he liked to joke that living with his mother-in-law, Frances Ludlum, taught him that he had "married the wrong woman," A.B. and Diane's life together was built on laughter, love, and shared hard work. They were not vacation people; they were working people, and A.B. loved every minute of it.
A.B. was a proud graduate of Cary High School and North Carolina State University. In 1971, A.B. began a 12-year career at J.F. Webb High School in Oxford, where he was a beloved teacher, wrestling coach, and recognized as Teacher of the Year. His passion for helping others soon led him into public service. In 1981, he was elected to the Oxford City Council, serving until 1985.
Raised in a family that viewed public service as one of life's highest callings, A.B.'s earliest memories of politics included riding the mailboat to Ocracoke to campaign with his father at the age of four. A.B. continued that legacy from 1983 to 1995 as Administrative Assistant for U.S. Representative Tim Valentine.
In 2001, A.B. was elected to the North Carolina State Senate, which he considered his highest honor, where he represented the people of Nash, Edgecombe, Franklin, Halifax, Vance, Wilson, and 'Hyde' Counties for a decade. While in the Senate, he founded the NC Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus and devoted time to serving on the Peace University Board of Trustees. A.B. proudly co-chaired both the Education and Higher Education Committee and Appropriations Base Budget Committee, as well as many other committees, boards and commissions. He was known for his pragmatic leadership, deep respect for educators, and tireless advocacy for the people of Eastern North Carolina, and for never missing a vote.
He leaves behind his loving and devoted wife and best friend, Diane, and his children and grandchildren to whom he was affectionately known as Pop: Russell and his wife Meredith, and their children Noah and Quincy (Albin B. Swindell V); Walton and his wife Britini; and William Joseph and his wife Katie, and their children Harrison and Charlotte. He is survived by his sister Sue Martin, brother-in-law Arthur Martin, sister Mary-Anne Brannon, and many dear nieces, nephews and cousins.
A.B. Swindell lived life fully with humor, honesty, and hard work. He leaves behind a legacy of service, stories, and laughter, and a reminder that the best adventures come to those who are prepared.
A memorial service will be held at Nashville Methodist Church on Saturday, November 8th at 11:00 am. The family requests donations be made to the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, and per Diane, no flowers.