Jan. 28, 1933 – March 25, 2019
VIDALIA —Jerry “Mr. Jerry” Sweat, 86, of Vidalia, died Monday, March 25, 2019.
Funeral services will be at a later date.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Young’s Funeral Home Vidalia Chapel.
Mr. Sweat was born Jan. 28, 1933, in Allen Parish, La., the son of Elza and Samantha Cloud Sweat.
He loved his family, friends, his dog, his country and his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Special love always for his two grandsons.
Over the years, he owned a number of convenience stores — the last one being Jerry’s Store in Vidalia.
He would say that God gave him his stores to help people. And help he did. If you needed something, any person, church or business, he gave it to you. If someone wanted something, he did the same thing. If he could do anything to raise you up, he would.
Sadly, after having to close his store to care for his wife, he would say that it was bad to be forgotten. The people he helped no longer needed him so he was not in their thoughts anymore. Even his church “family” ignored him.
The world lost a good and kind man. The world needs more people like “Mr. Jerry.” He should be remembered sitting in his chair greeting everyone that came in the store because he loved his customers and that part of his life. Those that knew him should look within themselves and find that meaning and become that type of person for the people around them.
Sweat was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Dollie Willis Sweat; his parents; one grandchild, Dell Sweat; one sister, Maurice Stokes and husband, Wilmer; and four brothers, Lester Sweat, Raymond Sweat and wife, Francis, RB Sweat and Eliza Sweat Jr.
Survivors include one son, Jerry Wayne Sweat and his precious wife, Darline; one daughter, Judi Barr; two grandsons, Jeremy Barr and Sergeant Elijah Sweat; and a number of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends.
The family extends thanks to Gene Thompson for never forgetting him and the employees and residents at Camelot Leisure Living that loved him and took care of him so many times.
God called his name and he answered.
As daddy would say, “God bless you and God bless America.”