Joseph Howard Sweatt of Hot Springs, Arkansas passed away July 1, 2006 at his home. Joe was born October 17, 1920 in Hot Springs to the late Howard and Dell Sweatt.

Joe was a graduate of the Hot Springs High School Class of 1939, earned his B.A. degree from Henderson State University where he was a very active alumnus and earned a M.S. degree and a Specialist degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He served in the U.S. Army, with over 27 months of overseas services ETD, Third Infantry Division, Third Medical and Infantry Battalion.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Hot Springs and was an active Sunday School teacher for 50 years in Methodist churches in Sheridan, Pine Bluff and Hot Springs.

Joe was devoted to his family and is survived by his wife of 60 years, LeaEtta Seymour Sweatt; two sons, Dr. John A. Sweatt of Hot Springs and Jim Sweatt of Little Rock: Daughter, Melinda McCarter and grandson Joey Rand of Knoxville, Tennessee and granddaughters Sarah and Jessica Sweatt of Hot Springs.

Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Thursday, July 6, 2006 at the First United Methodist Church in Sheridan with Bro. Jim Benfer and Bro. Bruce Bennett officiating. Burial will follow at Lost Creek Cemetery in Sheridan. Visitation: 5-7 PM Wednesday at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home in Sheridan. Pallbearers will be W. J. Thompson, Joey Rand, Jim Sweatt, John Sweatt, Larnell Davis, Jonathan Orsborn and Kenneth Theis. Honorary pallbearers will be Pat Papas, Pete Stedman, Leon Lancaster and Bob White.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Sheridan, Lakeside Methodist in Pine Bluff or First United Methodist Church in Hot Springs.