Barbara Bryan Sweat

Barbara Bates Bryan Sweat, 81, passed away on Monday, October 18, 2021.

Barbara was born on November 4, 1939 in St. Louis, MO to Charles and Myrtle Bates. She attended St. Louis public schools and graduated from Brentwood High School in 1957 and went on to attend college at Milliken University in Decatur, IL. Barbara taught elementary school in St. Louis, MO, Oakland, CA, and Panama Canal Zone. While in Panama she met her future husband, Captain James Bryan. They lived in West Point, NY where he was on active duty and she taught school. They lived at various duty stations, including Ft. Stewart, GA. While stationed here, Major Bryan was killed in an aircraft training accident.

Barbara resumed teaching at Bacon Primary School for several years. She then obtained a Masters Degree from GA Southern and took a counselor’s position at Hinesville Middle School. In 1982, she married Dr. Maurice Sweat. Together, they spent time traveling in their spare time and Barbara’s work had her traveling as well. She also worked as a travel agent, first with 4-Ways Travel and then with Burns Travel Agency. When the travel companies moved first to Richmond Hill, then to Savannah, she decided to retire to spend time at home and tend to her yard and gardening.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Myrtle Bates; and sister, Patricia Bobbit.

Barbara is survived by her loving husband, Dr. Maurice Sweat; nieces and nephews, Chuck and Chris Bobbit and their daughter, Candace of St. Louis, MO, Steve and Missy Bobbit and their daughter, Morgan of Bourbon, MO, Mike Bobbit and his son, Jason of Charlotte, NC, and Kimberly and Mike Tremble of Bowling Green; step-children, Jill Vandenbos, Marian Elaine Smith of Savannah, GA; step-grandchildren, Connor, Will, Caroline, Julia, and Amelia; step-sister and brother-in-law, Elaine and Richard Elliott of Clover, SC; and her beloved cat, Isabella.

Funeral services will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 24, 2021 at Flemington Presbyterian Church with Reverend Greg Loskoski officiating. Barbara’s family will receive friends for thirty minutes prior to the service. Burial will immediately follow in the church cemetery.

Arrangements are provided by Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel. To share a memory or leave a condolence, please visit www.carteroglethorpe.com.