Monday, May 29, 2006

Howard E. Sweatmon, Sr., 84, of Ringgold, died Sunday, May 28, 2006, in a local hospital.

He had been a resident of North Georgia for over 60 years and was a deacon at Peavine Baptist Church. He was a Corporal in the US Army, Veteran of WWII serving in Normandy, France, and Germany, where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the European, African, and Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbons, the American Defense Medal with four Bronze Battle Stars, and a Good Conduct Medal. He was wounded in action in Germany, March 2, 1945, where he received the Purple Heart.

He was a member of the Rock Springs Lions Club, the Order of the Purple Heart, the Sixth Calvary Association, and the Odd Fellows Lodge.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Alice Adcock Willis, a granddaughter, Stephanie Sweatmon, and his first wife, Evelyn Sweatmon.

He is survived by his wife, Ortha Sweatmon, a son, Howard E. (Brenda) Sweaton Jr., Ringgold; a step-son, James Mark (Elizabeth) Gray, Atlanta, GA; two daughters, Rita (Dan) Brookshire, Brunswick, GA; Donna (Wayne) Smith, Monteagle, TN; a step-daughter, Vivian G. (Ed) Trabue, Kennesaw, GA; a sister, Jeanette (Hoyt) Thompson, Whitesburg, GA; and 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Condolences may be sent at www.heritagefh.com

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, at Peavine Baptist Church with Rev. R. V. Wells officiating. Interment will be in Peavine Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday at Heritage Funeral Home, Battlefield Parkway.

Howard E Sweatmon