Mrs. Doris Helen Anderson Sweat, age 75 of Douglas, Georgia, passed away Thursday afternoon, August 8, 2025 at her residence surrounded by her loving family following an extended period of declining health.
A Coffee County native, Helen was born April 10, 1950 in Douglas, Georgia to the late Jake Albert Anderson and the late Malisa Hutcheson Anderson. She married the love of her life, the late Billy G. Sweat, on June 27, 1970 and went on to share 50 years of marriage before his passing in 2020. Helen devoted her life to caring for others. She and Billy spent more than half of their marriage as foster parents showing love, structure and stability to many children. She also retired from the Coffee County Board of Education in the Nutrition Department and was a member of Fales Pentecostal Church for 40 years. She found great joy in serving others and demonstrating the love of Jesus.
Along with her husband and parents, Helen was preceded in death by a child, Billy Ray Sweat, and 4 siblings: Christine Summerlin, Betty Sue Stone, Allene Spivey, and Brenda Anderson.
Helen leaves behind a legacy of love in her 5 children: Pamela (Timmy) Morgan of Douglas, Georgia, Wendy (Stevie) Graham of Douglas, Georgia, Rose (Ken) West of Millwood, Georgia, Peggy Sweat of Douglas, Georgia, Malinda (Erick) Najera of Douglas, Georgia; 9 grandchildren: Adam (Aaron) Spivey of Nicholls, Georgia, Zachary (Jordan) Batten of Jacksonville, Florida, Kelsey (Travis) Tuten of Dixie Union, Georgia, Ethan (Sarah ) Batten of Willacoochee, Georgia, Robby (Annastan) West of Dixie Union, Georgia, Ava West of Millwood, Georgia, Alana Sweat of Douglas, Georgia, Willow West of Millwood, Georgia, Tucker Cowan of Douglas, Georgia; 3 great grandchildren: Harliee Jones, Mason Jones, Emma Spivey; 7 siblings: Laverne Merritt of Alma, Georgia, Rev. J A Anderson of Pearson, Georgia, Margaret Davis of Pearson, Georgia, Maxine Woodall of Atlanta, Georgia, Geraldine Sewell of Sylvester, Georgia, Carol Mizell of Pearson, Georgia, Lou Annie Musgrove of Douglas, Georgia; and a number of nieces, nephews and extended family members. Helen was blessed with some very important caregivers and her family would like to recognize her cousin, Evelyn Davis, and the staff of Affinity/Bethany Hospice Care, especially Kristin Smith, for the dedication and outstanding care they provided during her declining health.
Helen’s family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM in the Ricketson Funeral Home Chapel. Her funeral will be held in the Ricketson Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 PM with Bro. Jamie Coker and Rev. JA Anderson officiating. Musical selections will be presented by pianist, Bonnie Musgrove and vocalists, Kayla Vickers singing “The Goodness of God”, and Becky Coker singing “I Want to Stroll Over Heaven With You” and “Look What I’ve Traded For a Mansion”. Interment will follow at Arna Cemetery with Pastor Bob Powell officiating and Becky Musgrove singing “How Great Thou Art”.
Active pallbearers will include Adam Spivey, Zachary Batten, Ethan Batten, Robby West, Kevin Spivey, and Kyle Spivey.
Condolences, kind words and fond memories may be shared with Helen’s family at www.ricketsonfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements for Helen have been entrusted to the kind and compassionate staff of Ricketson Funeral Home, Inc. of Douglas, Georgia.