Inez Judkins Sweeden, age 91, passed away Monday, November 11, 2013, at the Atkins Care Center in Atkins, Arkansas. She was born December 13, 1921, in the Bell’s Chapel community, the daughter of Frank Golden and Erma Belle Lazenby Judkins.
She attended the Bell’s Chapel Community School through the 8th grade before graduating from Atkins High School where she met and later married Paul Loyd Sweeden on February 7, 1942. After traveling with Paul while he was in the Army, they returned to Bell’s Chapel, where they made their home and raised five children. She was a fourth generation Methodist and member of the Bell’s Chapel United Methodist Church where she served as pianist for over 60 years.
She was among the first employees of and retired from the Atkins Pickle Company. She loved genealogy and contributed to numerous family and Bell’s Chapel community histories. In her late 80s, she authored a book, “Down Bell’s Chapel Roads.”
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Paul Sweeden; two infant siblings; and two infant great-grandchildren.
She is survived by five children, Jackie Sweeden and wife Gracie, Ricky Sweeden and wife Laura, Robbie Sweeden and wife Louise, and Jamie Sweeden, all of Atkins, and Nancy and husband Michael Blanchard of Paragould; sister, Nina Judkins Sweeden of Morrilton; sister-in-law, Jo Sweeden Kyle of Oklahoma City, OK; and a brother-in-law, Elmo Bizzell of Atkins, 7 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren.
Funeral services are 2:00 PM, Thursday, November 14, at the Bell’s Chapel United Methodist Church with Rev. Von Dell Mooney, Rev. Rebecca Wiseman, and Rev. Michael Blanchard officiating. Burial is in Bell’s Chapel Cemetery by Lemley Funeral Service of Atkins. Visitation is open on Wednesday until 7:00 PM at Lemley Chapel.
Pallbearers are Brian Sweeden, Mark Anderson, Hunter Anderson, Mark Pace, Erick Sweeden, Blake Sweeden, Brady Sweeden, Jeff Sweeden and Jonathan Sweeden. Honorary pallbearers are all her caregivers and the staff of Atkins Care Center.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bell’s Chapel United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, c/o Virginia Lazenby, 1317 Worthen Road, Atkins, AR 72823 or to the Bell’s Chapel Cemetery Association, c/o Thomas Willcutt, 1908 W. Main, Atkins, AR 72823.
Online obituary and condolences are available at www.lemleyfuneral.com.