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Sweeden, May Louise

June 17, 2035 –
 October 19, 2013

Obituary

May Louise Sweeden was born June 17, 1935 in Vickery, Texas and passed from this earth on Saturday, October 19, 2013.  She was preceded in death by John P. Sweeden, her husband of 51 years and her brother, William E. Core.  She is survived by many loving friends and family.  A list of a few are her sons John F. Sweeden and wife Kellie of Richardson, Robin M. Sweeden and wife Phyllis of Garland, nephews Billy W. Core and wife Sharon and Eddie R. Core of Richardson, and niece Fredda L. Holmes of Austin. If you knew this extraordinary human, you knew a true force of nature.  First and last she was a Mother.  She raised her two boys, John & Robin, niece Fredda, and nephews Billy & Eddie, to be optimistic, hard working and family focused. She was a true friend to many, the sort who would never break the law for a friend, but if a jailer were to receive a Red Velvet cake and enjoy a piece while on break . . . Well, it wasn’t her responsibility to make sure the inmates were secure during jail staff lunch breaks. She was also a caterer.  She helped to marry hundreds of couples.  With her cast of co-conspirators close at hand, she saw that every last brides’ dream came true.  With coat hangers, duct tape, flowers, fruit, a tub of butter cream icing and a hot glue gun, she could fix any wedding cake mishap. She loved her husband of 51 years, John P.  He came to Richardson from his home in Arkansas and moved in down the street from her.  They met during the April 1957 tornado that many say broke the drought of the 1950’s.  They would marry in August of that same year and only parted for a short time when he passed in 2009.  They are together once again. After learning that her treatment for esophageal cancer was no longer helping, she took a trip to see her nephew Todd Sweeden’s restored mansion in Russellville, Arkansas.  She also went to see her granddaughter Hannah Sweeden perform at the homecoming event Tiger Tunes at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. She took her trip to Arkansas the weekend of October 11-13, and even though her body was struggling,  she enjoyed each and every minute of the trip.  When she returned to her home in Richardson, she laid down in her bed and even though she would remain here on earth a few more days, she had finished her travels. She spent her final days on this earth exactly as she would have wanted, surrounded by friends and family.  Her house was full of family, food, friends, food, laughter, joy, tears and food. We are all sad that she is gone from our sight for now.  But oh what a difference she has made. In closing, remember the Roger Miller Song “Arkansas” I ain’t never traveled much but someday when the money’s such I’d like to see the world and all and maybe go through Arkansas Arkansas Arkansas I just love ole Arkansas Love my ma love my pa but I just love ole Arkansas I’d like to get my picture took put it inside my memory book And someday hang it on my wall to say that I’d seen Arkansas Arkansas Arkansas I just love ole Arkansas Love my ma love my pa but I just love ole Arkansas My Grandpa was always good I’d play horsey on his foot He’d tell me when I’d get tall we’d both go see Arkansas Arkansas Arkansas I just love ole Arkansas Love my ma love my pa but I just love ole Arkansas The family will receive friends at 2PM on Sunday, October 20 at the family home.  A graveside service will be held at 10AM on Monday, October 21, 2013 at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas.  A Celebration of her life memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M., at First Baptist Church of Richardson. Arrangements are under the direction of ARIA Cremation Service and Funeral Home 19310 Preston Road, Dallas, Texas 75252 214-306-6700

    Ed & Nancy Buchtel
    20 Oct 2013
    8:16pm

    Dear Family Members:
    We are so very sorry to learn of Louise’s passing. She was such a wonderful person and friend to all. She will be greatly missed. Please accept our sincere words of sympathy, and know we understand and appreciate your sorrow.

    Tom Brooks
    20 Oct 2013
    9:45pm

    Louise was always a joy to be around. We missed her at Rotary when her catering business took her away most meeting days, but it was always great to see her when she catered our events.

    Jeanie Curto & The Bunko Buddies
    20 Oct 2013
    11:21pm

    Condolences to all of you in the Sweeden clan. God blessed you with an amazing matriarch; may your family feel her love and joy through these sad times. Louise spoke of you all with such pride at our monthly Bunko. She and her sixes will be missed.

    Robbie Hazelbaker
    26 Oct 2013
    9:59pm

    This was a complete surprise to me although I knew she was a battling one of the only things that might be tougher than her.
    What an amazing lady. Her work ethic and love for so many that she employed to help her make a lifetime memory for so many brides was truly a sight to see. She may not have realized that she can add my two daughters college education to her list of many achievements because I know she referred me to at least 100 brides to handle their music over the last 14 years. I loved this lady, and everyone of her family members I got to meet. I am so sad that this memorial came and went when I wasn’t paying enough attention. As soon as I could, I asked God to welcome her to his kingdom, yet I know he already knew what a special lady she was here, and how much she was looking forward to seeing John again.We will miss her, already do, and celebrate all that she did while she was serving the Lord on Earth. I can only hope that she had time to celebrate her accomplishments before going to a place where there are no worries.

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"Nothing prepares you for the grief you go through when losing a child. I called this funeral home at 2:00 am broken and could barely talk. The amount of compassion and empathy they showed me immediately let me know I found the right place to cremate my son. I cannot thank them enough for their professionalism, SINCERE concern, and commitment to making sure my son was honored in the most respectful way. I hope this Funeral home values her as much as my family and I do."
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"On behalf of my family, I wanted you to know how much we appreciate your handling of my husband's final arrangements. Wayne Baxter assisted & guided us through the entire process with such care & compassion. Don't know what we would have done without him! Sincerely, Colleen Elledge"
The Peterson Family
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"I can’t say enough about how helpful and professional Dusty Martin, the funeral director at the Aria Cremation location on NW Highway has been. From my initial call, he was kind and informative. My friend died at home while on hospice and she was picked up in about an hour after receiving the call from the hospice nurse. The person who arrived to pick her up was also very professional/respectful and allowed us to take as much time with her as we wished. When I met with Dusty the next day about arrangements, he explained the process and options available without being pushy or trying to “sell” extras. Throughout the process, he kept me informed and, for example, was careful to be certain I understood the cost of the obituary I wanted and offered some options for reducing that cost if I wished. When I stopped by for another reason and started talking about some of the problems I was having with the pictures and media I hoped to use at a memorial lunch I was planning, he not only listened patiently but offered technology advice and let me use his personal media player. I have had experience arranging cremations for four others using two other local companies, and this experience with Dusty at Aria has been by far the best one I have had."
Paula Barnes
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"My Daddy’s service and our family experience at Aria Northwest Highway was truly blessed. Funeral Director Dustin Martin is the kind of person that you would like to see on a more regular basis – but in his industry – you hope to not see him that often. That being said – THANK YOU DUSTIN for your unending kindness, compassion and friendship through the process. Meeting you and discussing Dallas History, Find A Grave and my Dad’s lifelong contributions to the great City of Dallas was simply wonderful! In memory of my dad James A. Dodd, Sr. – I want to personally thank you and let you know that you made everything better in that moment. Your calling to “Be There” is spot on. Aria has a one in a million guy in you! Bling Blinky of TEXAS Shout Out: God Bless You!!"
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