Jefferson "Jeff" Reid Sweet
October 21, 1960 ~ October 26, 2021
Born in:
Coral Gables, FL
Resided in:
Fletcher, North Carolina
Fletcher – Jefferson “Jeff” Reid Sweet, 61, of Fletcher, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 26, 2021.
Born in Coral Gables, FL, he was a son of Shirley Gaskin Sweet of Hoschton, GA and of the late Bob Galligan Sweet.
Jeff loved the Lord, his wife, his children and their spouses, his grandchildren, his mother, his sisters and both sides of his extended family. His passion was bringing peace and joy to people through music. Jeff took great joy in being a General Contractor for 20 years, building homes for people in the community.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Clara Owenby Sweet; one daughter, Amber Sweet Sterner (Justin) of Atlanta, GA; two sons, Jonathan Reid Sweet (Veronica) of Asheville and Jefferson Robert Sweet (Annette) of Dayton, OH; two sisters, Lynn Witbeck of Starkville, MS and Laura Dardaman of Atlanta, GA as well as two granddaughters, Aniya and Julianne Sweet.
A Celebration of Jeff’s Life was held at 2:00 PM Saturday, October 30, 2021 at Arden Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dwight Basham officiating. The family received friends at the church prior to the service. A recording of the service may be viewed via this link: Jeff Sweet Celebration Of Life Service
In lieu of flowers, the family graciously asks that you consider making a contribution in Jeff’s memory to the Starkville Christian School, 303 Lynn Lane, Starkville, MS 39759.
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.
Services
Celebration of Life: October 30, 2021 2:00 pm
Arden Presbyterian Church
2215 Hendersonville Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 684 7221
Visitation: October 30, 2021 1:00 pm - October 14, 2024 2:00 pm
Arden Presbyterian Church
2215 Hendersonville Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 684 7221
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We celebrate the life of Jeff. His witness to everyone he met is his true testimony. “Well done, good and faithful servant…Enter into the JOY of your Master.” Matthrew 25:23
To the family of Jeff Sweet, what a wonderful, kind and obedient person God has called home. While we do not understand, God does. I always enjoyed enjoyed his kindness, his beautiful singing and his Christian spirit. His father,Bob, had a lot to do with the direction of Arden Presbyterian Church becoming a member of the PCA church. I love the whole Sweet family. We will be praying for Grace and peace for all of you.
Jeff was a man that served God. He would often tell us how his work was part of his ministry. We became close to Jeff during our build process and he was always asking how our family is doing. My family will always remember what a sincere person he was and we are thankful for the time we knew him.
We are so thankful for Jeff and his life and legacy. Jeff was a godly man who loved others and served so many. He spent countless hours helping with the youth ministry at Arden Pres for several years. He was such an encouragement to us and a dear friend. To Clara, Robert, Amber and Jonathan…we are praying for you and love you.
Clara,
Tom and I are praying for God’s healing and peace for your family. We rejoice with you in Jeff’s Godly legacy, what a blessing.
Love in Christ, Travis Tatham
Our dear friend and brother in Christ. We remember our many times of sharing through music with Break Fourth. I know you’re with Jesus and your Dad too, now. We loved you and your contagious joy for the Lord. We love Clara and all of your family and are grateful that we were able to be a small part of your life. May Jesus Christ be praised! In Him, Bobbi and Richard Glass
I was privileged to serve alongside Jeff as an Elder at Arden Presbyterian, a man who lived his faith daily. I enjoyed his gift of singing both during worship and in the Arden singing Christmas tree of past years. He did several projects at our home always with great attention to detail and craftsmanship.
It was my privilege to serve with Jeff as an Elder at Arden Presbyterian he lived his faith. I greatly enjoyed his gift and love of singing both during worship services and in the Arden Presbyterian Singing Christmas Tree of years past.
Jeff did several remodel projects at our home with meticulous attention to detail and workmanship.
He will be missed
Much love to the Sweet family! Jeff had a special heart for everyone he came in contact with! His love for the Lord was a tribute through his music! May Jeff be honored in a Celebration of Life! Sending love and prayers! Jeff will certainly be missed.
Gary and Wilma Conner
Clara and family,
Please know we are covering you in prayer. May God give you peace and comfort.
There are no words, our hearts are broken! Jeff was a very special friend to our family, and he will be missed so much! He was a beautiful voice of encouragement and kindness in a world that can be so negative. He filled our church with his beautiful voice, inviting all to worship the Lord with him! He was a mentor to our whole family, and he loved our children by giving them his time and attention. Robert, Jonathan and Amber, please know how thankful we are that we knew Your dad! And He was SO very proud of each of you! Clara, thank you for being right there with him in kindness and caring for others, and for showing us Jesus every day. May The Lord be with you and comfort you now. You are all in our prayers and we love you! (Tim, Michelle, Emily, Katy, Julianne and Ben Vanderkwaak)
I don’t have words to express how I feel about Jeff’s passing. I had the privilege of getting to know Jeff when he did two major projects for me here at the Billy Graham Training Center. He was a joy to be around and did excellent work. My comfort, as well as yours, is to knowing that he is in the presence of his Lord. I will be praying for you and your family during this difficult time.
“Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men”
“I will praise the Lord while I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being “
Observing Jeff live out the gifts God gave him on the job site and at church was a privilege. His infectious smile, positive attitude, and skillful confidence was a byproduct of his daily walk with our Lord and Savior.
Our hearts are heavy, yet we rejoice in God’s caring and comforting grace as we pray for Clara and all the Sweet family.
Praise God for all He did in Jeff’s life. A great friend and brother. Jeff’s continued service to his Lord and Savior just now beginning. May God’s love and Jeff’s legacy shine down on the Sweet family.
Dear Clara, Robert, Amber and Jonathan,
Jeff was a dear brother in Christ I did not know well, but wanted to know better. Nevertheless, I and all the Arden Presbyterian family witnessed his passion for praise of our Lord, and his deep love for you his family. Grieving with you but not without hope.
Clara, Robert, Jonathan and Amber we are keeping you in our prayers. May God provide you comfort now and peace knowing you will be reunited with your husband and dad. May Jesus hold you in his loving arms until that great reunion. Tim and Libby Gwennap
Jeff brightened our day when he came into our store with a bounce in his step and a smile on his face. He was so kind and respectful to all of our staff. He never failed to thank us. We will greatly miss him.
May God bless your family with peace.
Tina Lee
Builders FirstSource
Tony and Audrey Kelly
To the Sweet Family, Clara, Robert, Amber, Jonathan. God is our refuge and strength. (Psalms 46:1) May the depth of your faith and the love of those who share your loss comfort you at this time of sadness. With sympathy and prayers.
We are grieved for your loss, even as we rejoice over Jeff’s arrival in heaven. We will be praying for you as you continue your journey without Jeff at your side. In Christian love, Bill and Connie Bouldin
Clara, Please know you and your family are being lifted up to the Throne of Grace . May God give you all the peace that passes all understanding.
Amber, so so sad at this shock. My heart is with you.
One of Jeff’s favorite sayings was “I see you over there!” Jeff we see you over there walking the streets of gold with your dad. Clara, Robert, Amber & Jonathan your in our thoughts & prayers.
Clara, Amber, Robert and Jonathan, it was my privilege to call your husband and Dad my friend. Jeff was as well respected as they come and a model of Christian virtue and integrity. I so enjoyed the labor of love I shared with Jeff when we were honored to build the facility at New Life Church. Both Jeff and his Dad, Bob, were impactful influences in my life. Before I came to know the Lord, Bob modeled a winsome life that reflected Christ in character and practice. Jeff did no less. We are fortunate to have shared time in this life with men as lovely as Jeff. I know God’s peace will comfort you in this temporary season of loss. Jeff was loved by many as are all of you.
There are never really any words for times like this. At least none that haven’t already been said or ones you do not already know in your head/heart to be true. You are a strong family of faith. You already know where Jeff is now. Somehow telling you that again doesn’t seem to fit with what is in my heart. Maybe what is in my heart, what I’m hearing in my prayers for you is simply to remind you of how strong you are outside of your faith. You are a role model to me, as was Jeff. You helped teach me how to be a lady of Grace, of value, of strength. I have watched you my entire life. I have no idea what you are having to go through. How painful this must be. But what I do know is that you will do what you always do. You will allow God to clear this path before you and lean on your amazing friends and family and you will move forward. Maybe not the same woman as before, but just as strong and focused on where God leads you as you always have. And you will do it all with beauty, refinement, courage and as a model for those of us behind you. I love you Aunt Clara. And I am so
very, very sorry for this loss.
What a blessing to call this family friends. I don’t understand God’s timing but Jeff always understood that God worked in His time and His way. I pray for peace for Clara, Robert, Jonathan, and Amber and their families. Thank you all for being part of our lives and sharing this wonderful man with us.
Rich & Monica
Jeff always greeted with a smile, he will be missed by all who knew and worked with him. My condolences to his family.
Clara & children- It was my privilege to get to know you delivering your mail when you lived in Glen Crest. I’m so sorry to hear of Jeff’s passing. Praying for comfort for all of you. Psalm 34:18
With love and prayers,
Bonnie Jo Livernois
Pastoral Intern, David Livernois’ Mom
Dear Clara, Robert, Jonathan and Amber, my heart hurts so badly for you. I know the loss you feel is indescribable, but I also know the kind of family you are – a family of immense faith in Christ, a family of deep love and joy and beauty and fun, a family of hope – and so I know that someday you will be okay. Until then I pray you will feel the love and prayers of others holding you up. I know you’ve heard these words hundreds of times already – but I really am so so sorry for the loss of Jeff, a truly wonderful man.
Leigh D. Soufas, Bass II singer
Asheville Symphony Chorus
I do not know any of Jeff’s family but my prayers are with you all at this time. I know Jeff through the lumber and building supply business. I just want you all to know he was one of the nicest people that I have ever had the privilege to work with. He made me feel appreciated, and you just don’t get that much these days. God surely needed another angel up there and he got a good one.
Dear Clara, Chip and I so enjoyed our fellowship many years ago with you and Jeff. Years went by until I saw Jeff enter the rehearsal hall of the Asheville Symphony Chorus and he immediately brightened the room with his contagious joy in the Lord. My heart goes out to you, Clara, and to all of your family as you grieve, following our Good Shepherd through the valley of the shadow of death. He will faithfully comfort and lead you.
Dear Clara, I am so very sorry for this great and sudden loss. My heart goes out to you as you grieve.
All my love to you and your family during this time.