Mary E. "Betty" Sweeny

Mary E Sweeny (Betty) of Carlton, Georgia, died 20 September in Athens after a serious injury. Daughter of Emma Chloe Whitehead and Walter Joe Whitehead of Carlton, Betty was preceded in death by her husband James B. Sweeny, Jr. (Jim) Captain, USN retired, and her sister Martha Mae Snelling (Mae), both of Carlton. She is survived by her two children: Sara Baldwin of Athens with her husband David and her son James Sweeny III (Jim) of Tucson with his wife Kathy. Betty has four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Betty graduated with a Bachelors degree from Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia, and taught high school math in Royston briefly before marrying Jim in 1947 and beginning nearly 30 years as a Navy Wife. She lived in such places as Honolulu, Hawaii, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as well as Newport RI, locations in Virginia and California as well as their final post at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. When Jim retired, the family moved to Carlton. Betty finished a Masters at the University of Georgia and took a position as school counselor at Comer Elementary School for about seven years.
After her mother's death in 1982, Betty participated fully with Mae in operations of their family business. Meanwhile she enjoyed active support of her church, Carlton Baptist, traveled widely, played bridge intensively and organized events for friends and family. Betty was active in nearly all these until her accident on 5 September.
Visitation for Betty will be Thursday, 25 September at Lord & Stephens funeral home in Danielsville, Georgia from 6 to 8 pm. Funeral services will be on 26 September at Carlton Baptist Church in Carlton at 2 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations can be made in Betty's memory to:
Carlton Baptist Church, Church Street, Carlton GA
Safehouse Ministries, PO Box 6336, Elberton GA