Alberta Tillman Sweat, life-long member of the Democratic Party and Beulah Baptist Church, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and confidant to many, fantastic chef, sharp-witted conversationalist, and healthcare provider, was born on December 22nd, 1915, and passed away on the morning of Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020. She was 104 years old and four months to the day, and at the time of her passing, was the oldest and most respected member of the Satilla Cooperative for many years running. Alberta, fondly known to friends and family as "Bert" or "Nanny" was born, raised and spent most of her life in Alma, Georgia in the Forks of the Hurricane. One of seven children born to Walter Percy Tillman and Nicey Johnson Tillman, Alberta was a powerful, intelligent, and confident presence to all who knew her. She witnessed first hand women be given the right to vote, the Great Depression, and World War II, but despite these hard times, she was an eternal realist, optimist and sage. Not one to ever sit idle, she defied stereotypes by working as a welder for the war effort in shipyards in the 1940s, and continued to forge ahead until her retirement from healthcare well into her late eighties. She was a jack of all trades and a master of all of them, and would be the first to tell you: "No one likes Bert more than Bert." The irony of that statement is that the hope and light she brought to all those who knew her made it obvious that everyone liked Bert just as well as Bert, if not more.

Alberta had a reputation for her perfect attire and diminutive features, but the absence of her presence in this world leaves very big shoes to fill. She was preceded in death by her husband, Woodrow W. Sweat, and is survived by her children, Frederick Carl Sweat of Stafford, Virginia, and Wanda Sue Mandel, of Alma, Georgia; her grandchildren, Jeffery and Shari Feagin, Glenn and Carrie Lynn Feagin, Brad and Lori Anne Franklin, and Rick Sweat; her great-grandchildren, Jeffery and Leanne, Julie Anne and Elliott, Katie and Emily; her great-great grandchildren, Hayden and Brody, Amanda and Eliza, and Vivianne; and her beloved cat, Grizzly. Alberta Tillman Sweat was a titan, a lady and a force to be reckoned with. Her funeral is scheduled for Thursday, April 23rd, 2020, in accordance with her very strong and decade old wishes concerning end of life arrangements (despite reveling in the fact that she managed to outlive several undertakers). She has requested in lieu of gifts, food, or flowers that donations be made directly to Beluah Baptist Church in her honor and as anyone knows, her wish is The Command. May she rest in peace and be given the reception in Heaven that she is more than entitled to. Lord knows, on this Earth, she will be missed.