BRANTLEY COUNTY — Mr. Shelby Purdom Sweat, 80, died Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at his residence in Brantley County.
He was born in Pierce County near the Forks of the Hurricane. Sweat was raised in Ware County where he lived most of his life.
Sweat served in the United States Air Force, and he retired from Bellsouth/AT&T as a systems technician after 30-plus years.
He was a member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church and the Okefenokee Heritage Center where he was a well-known local wildlife artist. He is known for also painting local murals at Wacona and Center Elementary Schools.
Sweat was preceded in death by his parents, Simon Peter Sweat and Corrie Bell Douglas Sweat; and siblings, Verlyn Sweat, Alex Sweat, Lois Lee and Carlyle Sweat.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Jewelene Boyette Sweat of Waycross; his children, Gina Hyers (Randy) of Waycross, Ben Sweat (Pam) of Waycross, Randy Lucas (Christine) of Hoboken, Shawn Sweat (Alicia) of Jesup, Trista Lucas of Fernandina Beach, Fla., and Briana Sweat (James) of Fernandina Beach; grandchildren, Randi Mahoney, Hunter D’Ambrosio, Zadie Sweat, Charlie Sweat, Aly Crews, Angelee Crews, Rion Spurlock, Nicholas Sweat and Blade Lucas; seven great grandchildren including his sunshine, Lilliana; his siblings, Angie Sweat (Andy) of Brunswick, Frank Sweat (Linda) of Brunswick, and Gloria Rhodenberry (Johnny) of Blackshear; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorialization is by cremation.
Sympathy may be expressed by posting to his tribute wall at www.musicfuneralhome.com.
Music Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
