Louis Sweet

Louis A. “Biggie” Sweet passed away peacefully at the age of 89, after a brief battle with cancer on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at his residence in New Braunfels, TX surrounded by “his girls” and family. Louis A. “Biggie” Sweet was born on December 22, 1929 to John Albert Sweet and Minnie Shelby Smith Sweet in Lampasas, Texas. Born at home he weighed over 10 pounds when his mother lovingly nicknamed him “Big Boy”, which eventually evolved into “Biggie”, which he was called by his late wife, Marie, his girls, Cheryl, Gail and Sheliah, grandchildren, Lee, Ashley, Shenna, and great grandchildren, Kole and Hattie. He was the second born of six children. The Sweet Family is a loving and nurturing family, family was and is everything to them and surviving siblings and cousins remain very close. Louis “Biggie” joined the United States Air Force in June of 1948, where he served in the Korean war. In the summer of 1951, he and some of his Air Force buddies were in New Braunfels at Jackson’s Drive Inn on old Highway 81 where he met a local girl, Anna Marie Mester. They had a whirlwind romance and married six weeks later, on August 18th in Lampasas, Texas. Upon being honorably discharged from the USAF in November 1952, Biggie and Marie started a family, spent their time raising their daughters in New Braunfels while it was small, spending time with family and close friends. They raised horses, were active in community activities, had many a camping trip to Potter’s Creek on Canyon Lake, and lots of trips to Lampasas for Sweet Family gatherings. Biggie had a strong work ethic, always worked very hard and was an excellent provider for Marie and “his girls”. He passed this work ethic on to his girls. He was a fabric salesman for Mission Valley Mills for much of his adult life, he later worked in pre-owned vehicle sales. His passion was working with Thoroughbred racehorses. Biggie bred them, raised them and raced them. His community activities while in New Braunfels from 1952 to 1991 included the Texas Youth Rodeo Association, Comal County Fair Association, Comal County Sheriff’s Posse, which he served as president in 1966; and the Comal County Junior Livestock Association when daughter, Sheliah had show steers. Biggie retired from driving a school bus in Arlington ISD when he began working on the JC Knapp Rodeo Company/Bucking Bulls Ranch with his step-granddaughter, Amber Knapp and her husband, Chris Knapp. When Marie passed away in March 1991 Biggie moved to the Arlington area. There he met Bertie Faye Self. They married in June of 1993. He, his girls and grandchildren were blessed with a Bonus Family as she has two daughters and several grandchildren, they all call him “Louie.” Biggie (aka Louie) and Bertie enjoyed traveling, family events and entertaining family and friends in their beautiful home overlooking a lake. Biggie returned to New Braunfels in July of 2016 for “his girls” to care for him. He enjoyed spending time at Sheliah and TK’s going out in the pasture on the Gator, checking the pigs, cattle, chickens; watching the wildlife, family gatherings and time spent with great grandchildren, Kole and Hattie. He and Gail spent quality time together visiting, running errands, getting haircuts, going out to eat and he really enjoyed Dairy Queen. Gail will greatly miss him greeting her with a smile and a “hey kid.” Most Sundays you could find him at Cheryl’s for a home cooked meal with her and grandson, Lee, spending the afternoon catching a football or baseball game. Biggie is preceded in death by an infant sister, Zola Louise; his parents, John Albert and Minnie Shelby Sweet; his and Marie’s infant son, Gary Louis Sweet; his first wife, Marie Sweet; sister, Margaret O’Hair and husband, Willie; brother, Kenneth Sweet and wife Pat; brothers-in-law, Norris McLean, and Victor Wolfe; sisters-in-law, Melba Jean Mester, Bernice Moeller and husband, Arlon; son-in-law, Harold Michelson; and step-great grandsons Michael and Cody Albright. Biggie is survived by his wife, Bertie Faye Sweet; sisters, Glendora McLean and Gail Wolfe; his girls, Cheryl Sweet Michelson; Gail Sweet, husband, Tim Walther; and Sheliah Schneider, husband, TK; grandchildren, Lee Michelson; Ashley Schneider Thoma, husband, Busch; Shenna Schneider, finance, KT Scott; great grandson, Kole and great granddaughter, Hattie, who were an absolute delight to him while living in New Braunfels. Also, by his Bonus Family: daughters, Sharon Crowson, husband Don; Carmen Coker, husband Ron; granddaughter, Amber Knapp, husband Chris, great grandchildren Jonathan and Jordan Shuler, Jimmy Fricks, Christopher, Jacob, Taylor and Mackenzie Knapp; grandsons, Jon Lyn Albright II and Shane Crowson; granddaughter, Whitney Terrell, husband Kasey, great grandchildren, Elijah and Aydia; granddaughter, Kacey Pierson, husband Dustin, great grandchildren, Roman and Kingston; granddaughter, Hailey Dodson, husband Chris, grandchildren, Grady and Giana; and numerous nieces and nephews (who were all so gracious to visit him during his hospital stay) and their families. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the ER staff, Marek Walczak, MD; Jennifer L. Thompson, MD; Bruce A. Wood, MD and all the nurses that provided excellent and compassionate care for their Daddy during his stay at Resolute Health Hospital; to Hope Hospice staff for their love, concern and services. Thank you to Lux Funeral Home & Cremation Services for their utmost professionalism. And a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to Becky O’Hair and Kristi Balser who walked this journey with us daily. Thank you Gayla Baxter, Laura Koegle, DeAnn McDermott who provided meals (and all the precious ladies who signed up to provide meals) for us so we could concentrate on and care for our Daddy. We appreciate you all and we will be forever grateful and thankful for the thoughtful kindnesses shown to our family. God is good, great is His mercy and faithfulness to provide! A Celebration of Louis' Life will be held at 11:30 AM on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at Freiheit Country Store, 2157 FM 1101, New Braunfels 78130. The family requests donations be made to Hope Hospice or the charity of one’s choice.