Eddie Randolph Sweat Jr.

Eddie Randolph Sweat, Jr., 92, died March 11, 2012, at his home in South Daytona, Florida. Eddie was born September 6, 1919, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Eddie Randolph Sweat, Sr., and Anna Munyan. He is survived by his bride of 71 years. He and Lillian McDonald were married after a whirlwind courtship of nine weeks. They met on a blind date on April 13, 1940. They were married June 10. In June of 2010, they renewed their vows with all of their children and many grandchildren participating in the ceremony.

During World War II, he enlisted in the Navy and served from 1944 to 1946. As Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class aboard LST 868 he participated in the invasions of several Pacific islands including Okinawa and Japan. In January 1949, he was hired as a typesetter with the Atlanta Newspapers, Inc. Thirty-one years later, he retired as general foreman of the composing room. He also taught printing for two years (1957-58) at Hoke Smith High School in Atlanta.

The greatest gift that Eddie gave to his children was love of family. He spent his retirement years creating family calendars and individual cards for birthdays, anniversaries and Christmases. He and wife Lillian spent countless hours researching Sweat and McDonald genealogies. His research entitled "Sweats and Related Families of the Wiregrass" was accepted for placement in the Library of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington, D.C. and in the Georgia State Archives in Atlanta.

Eddie was predeceased by three sisters and their husbands: Alice (Kenneth) Sedgwick, Memphis, Tennessee; Lillian (Kenneth) Hatch, Plantation, Florida; and Bertha Mae (George) Richards, Conyers, Georgia. He is survived by three sons, Eddie Randolph (Susan) Sweat, Douglasville, Georgia, Richard D. Sweat, Temple, Georgia; and Keith(Karen) Sweat, Greenwood, South Carolina; one daughter, Frances(Kenneth) Bates, South Daytona, Florida; sister-in-law and best friend Lynne Hatch, South Daytona; thirteen grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren, all of whom adored him.

Friends may call Wednesday 6-8 pm at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home 4815 Clyde Morris Blvd. Port Orange. Funeral services will be held 3:00 pm, Thursday March 15, 2012 in the chapel of Volusia Memorial Funeral Home548 N. Nova Rd Ormond Beach. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.volusiamemorialfuneral home.com