Douglas Sweeney was born November 16th, 1941 in Marks, Mississippi to the parents of Lonnie and Inez Sweeney.
He had several brother's and sisters. Sister's named Barb, Rose and Shirlene. He had two brothers named Jimmy and Larry.
On May 5th, 1967 Douglas Sweeney Married Joan Marie Nelson. Douglas and Joan had a wonderful marriage together. They had a wonderful son named Bryon Douglas.
They lived in several city's and towns before finally settling in Mesa, Arizona. They attended Mesa First Assembly of God located in downtown
Mesa, Arizona. They have been life long church members even as it changed names and locations through out the times. Doug was a decon and a member of the church
Board. Basically he was the founding father of the church. Doug enjoyed being at the church and working with the children.
October 4th, 1991 Bryon married Keri Lynn Bethard in a wonderful ceremony officiated by our Pastor. We have two wonderful children named Phaylin and Caitlynn.
Both my children called Doug P-a-P-a. And he was the center of thier world. They spent a great deal of time with Grandpa and Grandma.
They attended church with them and spent the day on Saturday and even after church at thier house. They enjoyed being with him and he enjoyed being with the
grandkids.
On December 31st,2000 I was trying to go back to sleep after sending my children to church. I heard my phone ring so I answered it. It was my Mother inlaw.
She said that Doug wasnt feeling good at all but they would take the kids that night anyways. Said he was up all night coughing and wheezing. So I said ok. I hung up the
phone and didnt think twice about it. Just thought he had a cold. About a half hour the phone rang again. Again I answered.. It was my Mother inlaw. This time she was hysterical
and screaming that the paramedics were trying to revive Doug. They rushed him to the hosptial. I tried to contact Bryon to let him know but only got his voicemail. So I left a message
telling him to get to the hospital. Bryon's cousin took me to the hospital and when we arrived I found Bryon already there. Joan was there with our new pastor and his wife.
I decided to call my mother to have her pray, to have her church pray. After a couple minutes Bryon came out to say he died. Our world fell apart.
What would I tell the children. I believe that was the hardest task for me to do as a parent. I went and picked them up from church and took them to an empty room to let them know.
I explained that Grandpa's heart got hurt and the Doctor's tried to fix it but they couldnt. So they asked Jesus to take him to heaven. They seemed to understand that. We went through the
motions of preparing for Doug's funeral. And we buried him on January 7th, 2001.
This doesnt seem right nor fair. Doug was only 59 years old and he wasnt done with his life. He had congestive heart failure and I guess it caught up with him.
We don't understand why the Lord took you Doug. I guess we will understand when we meet you again in heaven.
