Juanita "Nita" Mathis Sweat

On July 4, 2024, Juanita “Nita” Mathis Sweat passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family. She was 98 years old. A native Texan, Nita was well-loved in her community. She was the mother of 6 children and despite having her large family to care for, Nita always made time for everyone else too. Nita always provided love and support for anyone who met her. Her wit and humor often surprised us as she would often respond to you with a funny quip or inuendo that was completely unexpected.

Nita married George Rushing Sweat in 1949 and she soon left her home state of Texas to join George in Saudi Arabia. Over the years they lived in Texas, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Libya raising 5 of their 6 children in various countries. They led a life of adventure and enjoyed traveling (with 5 children) and experiencing different cultures and countries. In 1972 they retired to East Texas where Nita enjoyed the love and companionship of her many siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews and childhood friends.

Juanita June Mathis Sweat (known lovingly as Nita or Nanny) was one of seven children born to Dovie (Jones) Mathis and Murray Calhoun Mathis on February 5, 1926 in Pollok, Texas. Nita’s passing marks the end of a familial generation of Mathis’.

She is preceded in death by her husband, George; her son, Dale; and her daughter, Jolene Mott. Her siblings, Kirk “Red” Mathis (Hazel), Mildred Dias (Marvin), JC Mathis (Edna), Cleo Rawlinson (Curtis), Billy Mathis (Margie) and Sue Phillips (Tip) have all gone before her along with much loved nieces and nephew who are remembered here.

Nita is survived by her sons, Roland Sweat (Ruby Sweat) and George Roy “Sam” Sweat; her daughters, Leah Salinas (Roland Salinas) and Rita Inman. Those who will be forever missing her love and attention include her grandchildren, Nita Sue, Luther, Melanie, Milissa, Maurita, Lacy, Marshall, Morgan, Ashley and Rachel; along with her many great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. Nita’s grandchildren craved her attention, and she happily gave it all to them.

Nita was known for many things – mostly for her ability to plant a stick in the dirt and have a beautiful flowering bush growing in no time. She was an avid gardener and loved flowers. She was also a friend to dogs – conversing at great length with all of them! While living in North Africa, Nita became fluent in Arabic and nurtured many friendships speaking only Arabic.

We will miss our mother every day as will many, but we are blessed to have had her unwavering love and support for all these years. Despite her diminutive size – she was a strong woman who suffered and healed, loved and lost, but lived larger and longer than most people expect to.

There will be a service of celebration for Nita in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel Monday, July 8, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. followed by the service and a graveside burial at Gann Cemetery.

The pallbearers are Marshall Inman, Morgan Inman, Alexander Steele, Mitchell Remmert, Ricky Bowers and Randy Ward.

Honorary pallbearers are Beaux Inman, Jaxon Inman, Deaven Castillo, Daylon Reece, Noah Pavlic, and Kason Mize.

We would like to thank all those who gave her a reason to smile and laugh over the years. Also, we send our appreciation to those who have lovingly cared for our mother as if she was their own. Special thanks to the hospice nurses (Jade and LeeAnn) and CNA’s (Martha, Emily and Dominique) who have cared for her this past year – undoubtedly becoming attached to her sweet demeanor.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Heart to Heart Hospice, 2102 S. John Redditt Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75904, or your local Humane Society or no kill Animal Shelter.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed, at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.