Nellie Mae Whitaker Sweet, born October 27, 1928, departed this earth at Grace Healthcare on December 14, 2017, to join her Heavenly Father who was already walking and talking with her faithful and loving husband of 43 years, Kermit Browning Sweet.

She was a lifelong resident of the Alvarado community of Washington County, Va. She was the daughter of the late Thomas Whitaker and Flora Graham Whitaker. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by one brother, Woodrow Whitaker and one sister, Rosetta Pennington.

She is survived by one daughter, Kathy Denton (Paul) of Meadowview, Va.; two sons, Carl Sweet (Betty) and David Sweet (Chris) of Abingdon, Va.; five grandsons and four great grandsons.

She retired from Johnston Memorial Hospital after 37 years as a CNA. She enjoyed gardening, canning and most of all helping family and friends in any way possible. She was a faithful member of Roberts Chapel Baptist Church.

The family would like to extend a thank you to the staffs of Grace Healthcare and Caris Hospice for the care that was shown to their mother. A special thank you to her roommate, Elizabeth Mason for always helping our mom any way that she could.

In keeping with the wishes of their mother, the family will be having a graveside service at 2 p.m. Friday, December 15, 2017, at Greenwood Cemetery in Alvarado with Pastor Junior Gobble officiating. Those wishing to attend are asked to gather at the cemetery by 1:45 p.m. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Greenwood Cemetery Fund, c/o Ray Smith, 26192 Denton Valley Road, Abingdon, Va., 24211.