Judith “Judy” Sweeten

Judith was born on July 28, 1949 in Panama, Oklahoma to Lorene (Kinsey) and Earvin Billings and passed away on January 21, 2026 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Judith “Judy” Sweeten was a devoted mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, wife, aunt, and faithful woman whose life was rooted in love, service, and her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. Family was the center of her world, and she poured her heart into raising her children and later cherishing every moment with her grandchildren. She believed deeply in the importance of togetherness and made sure everyone around her felt cared for, supported, and truly loved.

Judy was a 1967 graduate of Wister High School and married her first husband, Gerald Haynes, after meeting at a revival. They raised 4 children in Moore, OK before Judy was widowed after Gerald’s passing in December of 1982. Following the loss of her father two weeks later in January 1983, Judy returned to Wister to raise her family and support her mother.

In 1989, Judy unexpectedly found love again and married Odis Sweeten of Rock Island, OK where the two resided together, raising their children and sharing 31 wonderful years of marriage before Odis’ passing in May of 2020.

A committed member of Oasis Community Church, Judy Sweeten lived her faith daily through kindness, generosity, and quiet strength. She found joy in serving others and building meaningful relationships within her church, where she was known for her warm spirit and steady presence. Her love for Jesus guided her life and shaped the way she cared for her family and friends.

In her everyday life, Judy found happiness in simple but meaningful joys—baking for those she loved, traveling, creating memories, and enjoyed watching CSI mysteries and her Oklahoma Sooners on TV. Whether gathered around the kitchen table or the buffet at The Barn (her guilty pleasure), she enjoyed food and fellowship with loved ones.

Judy departed this life suddenly, but peacefully, from heart failure at her home and is now forever with the Lord and the ones who preceded her. Her legacy lives on through the family she raised, the faith she shared, and the countless lives she touched with her love.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Gerald Haynes and Odis Sweeten; brothers Donald Kinsey and Gary Billings; and sister-in-laws, Lowell Smith, Deborah Billings, Dortha Nichols, Melba Titsworth, and Joan Mackey.

Judith is survived by her sons, Jeff and wife Kim Haynes of Davenport, IA, Jason Haynes of Nashville, TN, Keith and wife Torey Haynes of Cameron, OK; daughter, Angie and husband Bill Adams of Cameron, OK; Step-children, Steven and wife Tracy Sweeten, Penny and husband Dan Rowton, and Tammy Waterhouse; grandchildren, Casey Terwelp, Taylor Haynes, Liv Haynes, Gigi Haynes, Jagger Haynes, Luke Haynes, Asher Haynes, Zaydnn Haynes, Case Howell, Cooper Howell, Marleigh Howell, Samuel Thomas, Katie Thomas, and Carson Thomas; Eight step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brothers, Dennis and wife Diane Billings, Glenn and Annie Billings, Bobby Gordon Billings; sister-in-laws, Nancy Billings, Regina Griffith and husband Russell, Reba Ridenour, Joyce Chasteen and Pat (Kinsey) Pickney; numerous nieces and nephews.

Honorary Pallbearers will be: Jeff Haynes, Jason Haynes,  Keith Haynes, Steven Sweeten, Bill Adams and

Luke Haynes

Funeral Service for Judith Billings Haynes Sweeten, 76 of Cameron, Oklahoma will be at 1:00 PM on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at Oasis Community Church in Poteau, Oklahoma with Pastor Nick Hess officiating. Burial will follow at Wister City Cemetery in Wister, Oklahoma under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, Oklahoma.

Viewing and visitation will be Wednesday, January 28, 2026 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the funeral home.