March 3, 1938 – July 17, 2025
Richard Franklyn Sweet, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and professor, was delivered in prayer to the arms of Jesus on Thursday, July 17,2025, at the age of 87. A man of immense intellect and rare humility, Richard touched countless lives through his dedication to education, his deep Catholic faith, and his unwavering love for family.
Born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on March 3, 1938, Richard was a 1956 graduate of McGill Catholic High School. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Spring Hill College in 1959. His academic journey continued where he earned a doctorate in Physics at the University of Texas San Antonio and a doctorate in Accounting At Mississippi State. He was truly a brilliant man earning two PhDs.
Richard began his professional career at an accounting firm before discovering his true calling in academia. He taught at several universities, but he found his lifelong home at the University of South Alabama, where he served as a professor for 33 years until his retirement. Known for his brilliance with numbers and his ability to make complex topics accessible, Richard was deeply respected by students and colleagues alike.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Franklyn Hayley Sweet and Amiee Melba Sweet.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 15 years, Mary (Toni) Jackson Delaney Sweet; his beloved sons David Franklyn (Maureen) Sweet and Andrew Richard (Sandra) Sweet; and his extended family of stepchildren, whom he loved as his own: Tommy (Nhroy) Gilbert, Aletha (Richard) Swansburg, Judy-Ruth (Paul) Olson, Lona (William) Robbins, Kathryn (Tony) Garner, James (Amanda) Delaney, Frances (Terry) Collette, John (Renee’) Delaney, Matthew Delaney, and Bethany (Richard) Patterson.
He is also survived by many grandchildren, including Samantha (Taylor) Sweet-Caddell, Katherine (Tyler) Moses, AJ (Nisa) Gilbert, DJ Gilbert, Jeanette Shales (Chris Meadows), Johnathan Shales, Timothy Buie ( Taya Stewart) Joseph Godbey, Natalie (Bryan) Williamson, Nicholas (Brianna) Robbins, Chris Robbins Mary Madison Garner, Gillian Garner, Dillon Delaney, Anne Marie Delaney, Andrew Delaney, Terry Lee Collette, Joseph Collette, Addison Delaney, Jacob Patterson Ryder Patterson, Aislinn Patterson, Maggie Patterson; and by great-grandchildren, including Ace and Alex Gilbert, Laurel and Blakely Williamson, Michael and William Meadows, and Lily Kate Robbins who brought him endless joy.
Richard cherished time with his loving wife who was his best friend and soulmate. God blessed them later in life with a true love they never could have imagined. He also loved to spend time with his tremendous family, whether it was holiday gatherings and football parties (he loved watching his Alabama Crimson Tide take the field), hiking in the mountains, swimming in the Gulf and backyard pool, reading voraciously, and exploring the beauty of numbers and logic.
A man of deep faith, he was grounded by his Catholic beliefs. He had a great devotion to the traditional Latin Mass, he fought for the life of the unborn. He was a dedicated servant to God, and had true understanding of the Catholic teachings traditions and faith.
He will be remembered for his sharp mind, generous heart, and the quiet strength he brought to everyone who was blessed to have known him. His legacy lives on in the knowledge he shared, the love he gave, and the family he helped shape. There was no name more fitting for our dearest Richard Sweet.
He truly was the sweetest man, husband, father, friend, and Pops. He will be greatly missed and always remembered.
Visitation and the Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday July 24, 2025 at St Ignatius Catholic Church in Mobile, AL. Visitation will be held from 9:30am-10:30am Rosary at 10:30am-11am Funeral mass at 11am. Interment will follow in Pine Crest Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donation may be made to:
Mary’s Shelter Gulf Coast. 14004 Boros Rd Elberta, AL 36530
251-986-6200
or
Saint Vincent DePaul Society
St Ignatius Catholic Church
3704 Spring Hill Ave
Mobile, Al 36608
251-342-9221
