James Sweatman

JAMES EDWARD SWEATMAN


James Edward "Jim" Sweatman went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Monday, March 19, 2018. He was 86. He was born to Eddie Wesley and Lota Ellis Sweatman on September 28, 1931, in Camden, Arkansas. He graduated from Camden High School in 1949 and shortly thereafter enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving for over five years. He spent three years of his service as a Staff Sergeant in Germany. He married Patricia Jean Morgan of Camden, Arkansas, in August 1955, whom he loved and cherished for 62 years until his death. In 1960, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arkansas. During his university years, he began work for International Paper Company where, upon completion of his engineering degree, he worked as a construction and start-up engineer, assisting in the design of electrical systems for paper mills in Spring Hill, Louisiana; Vicksburg, Mississippi; Mobile, Alabama; Texarkana, Texas; and Mansfield, Louisiana. He worked for many years in the corporate office in Mobile, Alabama, where he established maintenance training and monitoring for the company. He also later worked in the company's Equipment and Reliability Department, traveling to paper mills throughout the United States and in Colombia, South America. He was a lifetime member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).
He believed upon and became a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ in 1955, joining the First Baptist Church of Camden, Arkansas. In 1964, he was ordained as a Deacon at the Cullendale First Baptist Church, also in Camden, Arkansas, a ministry in which he served faithfully in the churches he belonged to for the rest of his life. He joined Spring Hill Baptist Church when he was transferred to Mobile, Alabama, in 1980, where, in addition to deacon ministry, he also worked in the third-grade children's Sunday School department and served faithfully for many years as a member of the Sanctuary Choir.
In his leisure time, he enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He also enjoyed travel; playing golf, NASCAR races, train lore, auto mechanics and fixing anything else that was broken.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eddie Wesley and Lota Ellis Sweatman of Camden, Arkansas; two sisters, Florille Jordy of Fallon, Nevada, and Martha Ruth Mann of Ferriday, Louisiana; and grandson, Aaron Sweatman of Van Buren, Arkansas.
He is survived by his wife, Pat, of the home; three children: Layne Perkins of Mobile, Alabama; Kent Sweatman and his wife, Sarah, of Van Buren, Arkansas; and Morgan Sweatman and his wife, Dru, of Mobile, Alabama; five grandchildren: Jeff Perkins of Atlanta, Texas; Jenny Adkins and her husband, Steven, of Versailles, Kentucky; Adam Sweatman and his wife, Victoria, of Tallahassee, Florida; Andrew Sweatman and his wife, Allison, of Cabot, Arkansas; and Matthew Sweatman of Mobile, Alabama; six great grandchildren: Simon Adkins, Anna Adkins and Claire Adkins of Versailles, Kentucky; Rosie Sweatman and Beau Sweatman of Cabot, Arkansas; and Henry Sweatman of Tallahassee, Florida. He is also survived by numerous other nephews, nieces and extended family members, as well as a host of fellow church members and friends.
Services will include a private burial at Mobile Memorial Gardens followed by visitation at 1:00 PM and a Memorial Service at 2:00 PM on Friday, March 23, 2018, at Spring Hill Baptist Church, 2 South McGregor Avenue, Mobile, Alabama, with the Reverend Terry Richey officiating.
Memorials may be made to the Orchestra Fund at Spring Hill Baptist Church.
Condolences may be offered at www.mobilememorialfunerals.com.

Visitation

Spring Hill Baptist Church
2 McGregor Avenue South
Mobile, AL  36608
Friday, March 23, 2018
1 - 2:00 PM

Service

Memorial Service

Spring Hill Baptist Church
2 McGregor Avenue South
Mobile, AL  36608
Friday, March 23, 2018
2:00 pm

Memorial Contributions

Spring Hill Baptist Church
2 McGregor Avenue South
Mobile, AL  36608