03/24/2026
An unexpected blessing was the day that Nan Sweat walked into our building and asked if we needed any volunteers. And are we ever glad she did!
Originally from Cordele, Nan earned her teaching degree from Georgia Southwestern in Americus. She later married, moved to Albany and had two children Mark, who lives in Alpharetta, and Megan and her husband Patrick who live in Acworth. While living in Albany she taught inservices to employees of a savings and loan company and later as a schoolteacher in middle school.
After the passing of her husband, Nan accompanied several friends to a dance in Tifton, where a gentleman caught her eye. Although eighteen years her senior, he later became her second husband and she moved to Waycross to live with him on his farm. In Waycross she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and even led music the last year she was there.
After losing her love of twenty years, she felt that she needed a change and moved to St. Simons last year where she now enjoys riding her bike, walking, painting with acrylics on old windows, and making beautiful new treasures out of others’ castaways.
When asked how she chose Heritage Oaks as a place to volunteer she said, "I just wanted to be a friend to someone who might need one." And what a perfect spot she has filled. The residents adore her sweet smile and gentle nature and Nan said she finds the relationships so fulfilling. She enjoys the interaction with the residents and feels her family has grown larger by the staff with whom she has come to know.
We are so fortunate that Nan was led through our doors…..and the residents are certainly more blessed by her having done so.
