Life Reflections

On December 19, 1940, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Lawrence Edward Sweet blessed his parents, Eddie and Gladys Sweet, with his arrival. Lawrence and his siblings, Tim, Pauline, and David began their education at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School, and he graduated high school from W.O. Boston. During this time Lawrence met the love of his life, Bertha Ann White. They were married for 58 years and shared three beautiful children, Rhonda Rubin (Sampson), Deneen P. Sweet and Lawrence Raney Sweet (Stacey).

Lawrence was a proud supporter of his children, Rhonda in basketball, Deneen in volleyball and tennis, and Raney as a Eagle Scout and in the band. Lawrence became immersed in his dedication to Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church just like his mother. Lawrence was Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 47, out of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church. He had Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and approximately 8 Eagle Scouts. They often had weekend adventures to Camp Edgewood. Every summer he would take Troop 47 members on a all-paid educational trip out of the state, in particular he took them to Mobile, Alabama, where they spent the night on the USS Alabama Battleship. He built go-carts for the Boy/Eagle Scouts and a train for the Cub Scouts to ride on in all the local parades. Lawrence was a constant at the church bazaars frying up those turkey wings!

Lawrence served 22 years, 7 months, and 10 days of active military duty in the United States Army, in Fort Polk, Louisiana, Ft. Lewis, Washington, Nuremberg/Furth Germany, a tour in the Vietnam War and retired while assigned to Fort Hood, Texas, as a Sergeant First Class. His family traveled with him to every military base which also included Germany. While in the Army he received the National Defense Service Medal, Veteran Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars, Army Commendation Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster Bronze Star Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal and CLASP Bronze Four Loops and a Sharp Shooter (Riffle).

Lawrence would always take his boat out to fish and loved to trail ride and ride his motorcycle. He allowed the Golden Eagles Motorcycle Club in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to utilize his building for no fee to have meetings and provide community support for the surrounding neighborhood.

He was proceeded in death by his wife, Bertha Ann Sweet; his brothers and sister, Henry Holloway, David Sweet, Pauline Smith, and Timothy Sweet; and his parents, Gladys and Edward Sweet.

Lawrence Edward Sweet will be missed by many; however, his memory and legacy will live on through his children, daughters, Rhonda J. Rubin (Sampson), of Houston, Texas, and Deneen P. Sweet of Iowa, Louisiana; and son, Lawrence Raney Sweet (Stacey) of Lake Charles, Louisiana; his sisters-in-law, Frankie Sweet of Atlanta, Georgia, Linda Agnes White and Christiana White of Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Debra White of Houston, Texas; and brother-in-law, Charles White of Houston, Texas and Lester Smith of Maryland. His grandchildren, Percy L. Vital (Lynn), Lawryn Sweet, Hanna Rubin, Riley Jacobs and Landyn C. Stafford. Great grandchildren, Ezra, Dash, Royal, Nuri, Tru and King; along with his nieces, nephews and friends.