Joyce Elaine Sweet

Joyce Elaine Sweet of Centennial, Colorado passed away on February 28th, 2010. Her death was the result of complications associated with pancreatic cancer. She passed away peacefully at Porter Hospice, and her husband Robert and son Rob were with her. Joyce was born in Raleigh, Mississippi on July 19th, 1931 to James Truman Gaddis and Ina Tillson Gaddis. She grew up on a small farm and graduated from Raleigh High School in 1949, and she was also a member of the Union Baptist Church. She completed nurses training at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee; receiving her R.N. upon graduating in 1952. She then joined the United States Air Force and served at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, and overseas at Neubiberg and Sembach Air Bases in Germany, eventually attaining the rank of Captain. Her favorite overseas assignment was at Clark Air Base in the Philippine Islands, where she made many friends, several of whom she remained in contact with her entire life. She left the service at Carswell AFB, Texas in May 1961. After her children were grown, she worked in the real estate business for several years. She also continued with her nursing education and took Spanish classes. Joyce was an avid reader and belonged to several book clubs. She loved classical and bluegrass music. And she also enjoyed flower gardening, especially tending to her tulips and Dutch irises. She was preceded in death by her son Christopher, her parents, her brother Truman (Buck) Gaddis, and her sisters Merle Dean Ashley and Rose Wigington. She is survived by her husband Col. Robert Sweet (USAF - Ret.) and her son Rob, grandson Brandon and daughter in law Pamela. She is also survived by her brothers Bill Gaddis (Rebecca) and Larry Gaddis (Johnnie Sue) and her sister Annie Ruth Sullivan, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind many other relatives and friends who will miss her greatly. Interment will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colorado. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to a hospice of choice or the American Cancer Society.