Longtime Bainbridge City Councilman and community leader Joe Sweet died on New Year’s Eve 2016. He was 79-years-old.

Sweet was a lifelong public servant and his love for Bainbridge and its resident was demonstrated by his service to others.

City Councilman Luther Conyers shared his memories of Joe Sweet, with whom he served on the City Council.
When Conyers came back to Bainbridge, he first knew Sweet as a student at Hutto High School. He remembers Sweet as a very good basketball player who then went on to become an avid golfer.

He went on to attend Savannah State University and after graduation he returned to Bainbridge where he taught several years as a classroom teacher. Later he became an assistant principal at several elementary schools. He and Conyers served together as members of the local Savannah State University Alumni group.

Conyers said, “He was a very private person, agreeable and easy to work with. He was accommodating.”

“We were certainly shocked and surprised to hear about his passing,” Bainbridge Mayor Edward Reynolds said. “He will be missed on city council. He spoke with authority and reason.”

City Councilwoman Roslyn Palmer said Sweet has been there by her side the entire time she has served on city council, literally and figuratively

“He sat next to me the whole time,” Palmer said. “Joe is a very quiet person, so I guess we were a good balance to each other. When you got a comment from Joe, you got a reason for a decision or reasons against it. Joe was a pleasure to work with, and we are going to miss him.”

Palmer said she was disappointed the city won’t be able to celebrate Sweet’s career of service with him there to accept the appreciation.

“Joe was a good man,” City Manager Chris Hobby said. “He always had the best interest in Bainbridge at heart. He wasn’t the most vocal council member. He was quiet, but I don’t think you can ever say he had any selfish intentions at all, it was always for the betterment of everybody.”

Hobby believes Sweet took his job as a city councilman very seriously and always went about it the right way.

“I think it was unselfish service,” Hobby said. “Joe will be missed.”

Service for Sweet will be held Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul M.B. Church. Interment will follow at Jonas Lobe Cemetery.