Marjorie Sweet

Surrounded by her loved ones, Margie Sweet passed from this life to the next on Monday, March 2nd. Marjorie Ann McElyea was born on July 4, 1929 in Grenola, Kansas. Patriotic from the very start, her favorite colors were red, white, and blue. After childhood stints in Kansas and California, Margie settled into life as a high school student in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Always an independent spirit, while still a student, Margie worked after school as a store clerk, a stenographer, and a dental hygienist. One of the highlights of her young life was playing in a Scottish band at a banquet held in honor of Admiral Nimitz in Oklahoma City shortly after the ending of World War II.

Just a few weeks later, while at a Friday night football game, Margie met a handsome, young sailor named Ralph Sweet who had just returned home to Oklahoma City from service in the South Pacific. Ralph fell in love with Margie's blue eyes, and Margie fell in love with Ralph's crazy sense of humor and his family. The two quickly became inseparable. Margie's mother made her promise she would graduate from high school before she wed Ralph. True to her word, Margie married Ralph on May 30, 1947, the day after her high school graduation.

As a young Church of Christ preacher and preacher's wife, Ralph and Margie served in several small towns throughout Texas and Oklahoma. During the early years of their marriage, Ralph and Margie welcomed three "Sweet" girls into the world – Candy, Judy, and Taffy. When the opportunity came to move to Austin to help Ralph's uncle grow his Christian publishing company, Sweet Publishing, Ralph and Margie jumped at the chance. Faithful to the Lord and His Word, Ralph and Margie became members at the Brentwood Church of Christ where they served for many years. Margie volunteered at the Brentwood East Austin Mission and also took care of a single woman's children during the day so that she could work and make ends meet. During this time, Ralph and Margie welcomed a fourth child, a son named Paul, into the Sweet family.

A life-long subscriber to Southern Living magazine, Margie was a "foodie" before it was cool. She prided herself in making three hot meals a day for her family. She loved to cook big family meals, and will long be remembered for her delicious fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and cream gravy. Margie was also known for her sense of style – long, thick blonde hair, red Chanel lips, all of the latest fashions, and, of course, shoes and purses to match.

Sweet Publishing Company blossomed under Ralph and Margie's leadership. The Sweets' dedication to publishing Bible commentaries and Christian curriculum encouraged and strengthened the Lord's Church. In her later years, Margie volunteered at Seton Hospital, serving in the Critical Care Unit. Her heart went out to the families of the patients, and she made sure that they were well cared for and supported.

Margie's family would like to thank all of those who cared for her during her battle with cancer, especially the staff at Pflugerville Care Center where Missy, Nita, Randy, Avery, Lisa, Sylvia, and Myra became more than her caretakers; they were her friends.

Margie is survived by her loving children – Candy Moore, Judy Hunter, Taffy Henson, and Paul Sweet – her sons-in-law and daughter-in-law – Tim Hunter, Sammy Henson, and Angie Sweet – her grandchildren – Trey Hunter, Missy Driskell, Mandy Erickson, Laura Berryhill, Michael Winn, Shelly Joyner, Carrie Hunter, Haley Sweet, Brandon Sweet, and Sean Sweet. She is preceded in death by her grandson, Chad Hunter. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren – Allyson Hunter, Jake Hunter, Elizabeth Joyner, Donovan Berryhill, Hayden Erickson, Kennedy Erickson, Kaleb Driskell, Noah Joyner, Joshua Joyner, Charlotte Erickson, and Xander Berryhill.