Sherri Ruth Sweany

In Loving Memory: Obituary to Our Loving Mother

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sherri Ruth Sweany, who was one of the best mothers or grandmothers one could ask for in life. Her presence was of a rare kind, capable of warming the hearts of all she met and powerful to carry on to future generations.
In this time of mourning, we gather as a community with family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors to remember, celebrate, and to honor the remarkable life. She was born on November 7, 1958, in Hobbs, New Mexico and passed far too soon on August 30, 2025 at the age of 66, surrounded by loved ones.

She is preceded in death by her mother and stepfather Rose & Joel Tiegan, Father and Mother in-laws Donald & Delores Sweany, brother Billy Green, and brother/sister-in-law Don & Colleen Sweany, all of Ridgecrest, CA, and nephews Bobby Jr. Green of Placerville and Joshua Green of Texas. She leaves behind many loved ones, starting with her three sons and their spouses: Brian and Angie Sweany of San Diego, CA, Tim and Melody Sweany of Ridgecrest, CA, and Nick and Heather Sweany of Fort Walton Beach, FL. Along with her grandchildren Tyler, Avalon, Trinity, Brittany and fiancé David, Jocalyn and wife Haley, Serenity, twins Easton and Ellyanah, Kinley, and Ryder. Her siblings Johnny and Theresa Green, Patricia and Rob White, Bobby and Jessica Green and in-laws Jim & Carolyn Sweany and Edward & Debbie Copeland. Along with many nieces/nephews and their families, DJ and Cheryl, Kim and Rion, Lori, Tammy and Cedric, Krista and Chris, Angel and Matt, Bobby and Dawn, Erica and Mike, James and Ann, Sondra and Mike, Ashley and Khoren, Jeremy, Little Johnny, Jacob, Megan, and Joey and many other friends that she considered family "you know who you are."

Sherri met the love of her life, Brian, at the tender age of five and was always quick to say that she knew from their first meeting that it was love at first sight. Being married for 48 years, November 27, 1976, they always aimed to reach 50 years. She led a simple life of raising three boys where she enjoyed taking/watching them at their sports and going to motorcycle races, with her personal favorite being baseball. Another great part of her life was when all her sons met the loves of their lives in which case she was truly blessed and thankful to become a girl mom too. She continued this with all her grandchildren that expanded her horizons with all the hobbies they had to include art. No matter the place, she loved to cook/bake for gatherings and special events, especially the motorcycle races and Christmas. She loved Christmas to include Christmas in July as well.

Her grandfather "Papa" wrote her a poem to describe her simple life and couldn't hold truer to this day:

I like to live in a little Town,
where the trees meet across the street,

where you wave your hand and say hello to everyone you meet.

I like to stand for a moment outside the doughnut shop and listen to the friendly gossip of

the folks that live next door.

For life is interwoven with the friends we learn to know, and we hear their joys and

sorrows as we daily come and go.
So, I like to live in a little Town.

Sherri was someone whose heart was open to all, no matter your faults or troubles. Her compassion truly knew no bounds, even now, her heart is with us all. She has two parting wishes: Cherish your family and understand that your relationship with them is one's greatest asset and to either begin or continue your relationship with Jesus.

Let us honor her memory by embracing the values that she held dear and by carrying forward the compassion, courage, and hope that defined her life. May we find solace in the shared recollections, laughter, and tears and may we strive to live each day with the same generosity and grace that she exemplified.

Throughout her life, Sherri dedicated herself, not only to her family and friends but also to her community. She served as youth director at the First Baptist Church in the early 1980s, touching countless young lives with her guidance and compassion. Her entrepreneurial spirit shone through as the owner of beloved local businesses including an ice cream shop in Lake Isabella, Speedy Lube, Shell, and Sur Clean Car Wash which were all local to Ridgecrest. Professionally, she devoted thirty years to NAWCWD faithfully serving in various roles within the comptroller's office. Whether in the heart of her family, among friends and neighbors, or through her tireless work and leadership, Sherri made a lasting impact that will be cherished by all who knew her.

Rest in peace, mother, grandmother, aunt, sibling and dear friend. You will forever be missed but never forgotten. Your legacy lives on in all whose lives you graced, and your memory will forever be a blessing to those who knew and loved you.