Alva Dean Sweeney

Alva Dean Sweeney beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away quietly at her home surrounded by her loving family on Sunday September 29th, 2019. Alva Dean was born on December 2nd, 1926 in Wade, Oklahoma to Herman Ernest Smith and Mary Emma Ticknor. She married her high school sweetheart, Orvil Johnny Sweeney on January 19, 1945. Her family loves to tell the story of their wedding. During their senior year Johnny was among several young men called up for service so Alva Dean and Johnny got married that afternoon at the First Baptist Church’s pastor’s home and then attended their senior prom that night. Alva Dean graduated from Durant High School in 1945 while Johnny was at boot camp. After Johnny’s service ended in 1946 they moved to California where their son Johnny Wayne was born in 1948. Within that year they moved back to Durant where they owned Acme Cleaners and later a masonry contracting business. In 1964 they started their business, Durant Concrete Block, working side by side before retiring to their Lake Texoma home in 1985. Alva Dean loved that they began to travel and they traveled all over the United States and Canada. She was a talented member of a clogging group where they performed for many different groups. Alva Dean loved to sew and eat breakfast at IHOP, but most of all she loved being with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Alva Dean had a kind heart and never met a stranger. Alva Dean is preceded in death by her father Herman E. Smith, mother Emma Mary Neeley, her step father William E. Neeley; her son Stanley Dell Sweeney and brother Billy Wayne Smith Alva Dean is survived by her husband Orvil “ Johnny” Sweeney; son Johnny Wayne Sweeney of Monroe, LA; Grandson John Adam Sweeney wife Erica and their children Asher, Iris, Mirra; Grandson Zachary Sweeney wife Sarah and their children Ella and Ellyse; Grandson Gabriel Sweeney; her sister in law Ollieta Jean Smith and daughters, Terrie Keck, Sherrie Stout, Jerrie Goforth; sister in law Lucille Bounds and husband Murphy; sister in law Jane Sweeney. Alva Dean leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, relatives and friends. The family would like to give a special thank you to Marylon Lewis her caregiver and friend.

Alva Dean Sweeney

December 2, 1926 - September 29, 2019