On February 18, 1941, the Lord Blessed Jesse and Viola Gowans  with a Beautiful Baby Girl named Doris Marie Gowans. Doris was  the sixth out of eight children born. She was born and raised in Palmer, Texas. Later her Family moved to Irving, Texas in the Bear  Creek Community where she met and married the Love of her Life  Mr. Joe Lewis Sweat to whom four lovely children were born - Cal vin, Sharon, Jeffrey & Rodney. Her children brought her so much  Joy!

Doris took Pride in her Family and was very Loving. She was very  protective over her Children and Grandchildren. She was a devoted  Wife and Mother. Doris was very close to her Nieces and Nephews,  and they all had a Special bond in her heart! She was often seen  keeping her Grandchildren over the Summers spending quality time  with them that allowed time to go on adventurous vacations, fun in  the pool, and Vacation Bible School which allowed the kids to bond.  Those are some Great memories that we will never forget!

Doris Loved the Lord, and accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and  Savior at an early age. She was Baptized and an active member at  Ben Washington Baptist Church in Irving (Grand Prairie) Texas un der the Leadership of Pastor Joseph R. Sheppard where she Loved to  serve and sing in the choir. When Doris was in her Prime, she  joined Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church under the Leadership of  Pastors Joshua and Sherry Hanchett. She served as one of the Ministers of the Church. She loved speaking at Church and occasionally travelled to speak at many engagements. As she grew older, she later settled and joined the Bear Creek Community Church in Irving,  Texas under the Leadership of Pastor Dennis Webb. It was there that  she was ordained as an Evangelist. Doris was also, one of the Mothers of the Church and was Loved and Adored by many.

Doris attended school in the Irving Public School system. She was  able to experience different job opportunities throughout the years.  Later she ended with working in the Irving School District until she  became unable to work.

When Doris, wasn't working she loved spending time with her Fam ily. She enjoyed talking on the phone with her Siblings. She kept her mind sharp by doing crossword puzzles often. She Loved playing  cards and dominoes every week with her Family and Friends. She

did that for a while until her health declined. It was important to Do ris that her Family always stayed close knit. She always wanted the  Family to get together to do something. Even in her later stage of  life she constantly talked about getting the Family together to have a  gathering giving details of what she wanted to do and things she  wanted to cook. While in the nursing home you would often catch  her talking and singing so loud that you could hear her in the hall way. If you ever went to visit you would know she was up because  you would hear her talking before approaching her room. Although  her health was failing, she never let that get her down. She always  stayed positive and often encouraged those that were visiting her.  She always wanted the people around her to be ok and not stress out  about the troubles of life.

Doris cherished her Family and Friends! She was always there when  she was needed. She would always lend a helping hand and was that  shoulder to cry on. She was a great counselor when it came to rela tionships. She always used wisdom when giving advice and gave  you the word of the Lord. She was a Minister of the Gospel and  Loved to minister to people. She always made sure she stayed  prayed up. Praying, Worshipping, and Studying the Word of the  Lord were Priorities! Her prayers will continue to hold her Family  together until we all meet again. The Love, Compassion and Care  she had for her Family will be Greatly missed!

In the early morning on November 12th, 2023, Doris packed her be longings and stepped on the Train to Zion and met her Lord and  Savior. She heard the most Precious, Peaceful words of, "Well Done,  thy Good and Faithful Servant. The storm is over now, and it's time  to rest."

Doris is proceeded in death by her Mother Viola Daniel-Gowans;  her Father Jesse Gowans; her Son Calvin Sweat; her Brothers  Clydell, and Adell Gowans; her Grandchildren Belinda Mitchell,  Shaquita Ivy, Angie & Jeremiah Sweat.

She Leaves behind to cherish her Sweet Memories: Husband, Joe  Lewis Sweat; Daughter Sharon Sweat-Degrate (Paul); Sons: Jeffrey  Sweat, and Rodney Sweat (Rashe); Daughter in Love Freddie Allen Sweat. Doris also, leaves behind 19 Blessed Grandchildren: Tonia  Allen-Brackens (Adrian), Trevino Allen and Jeremy Allen ( Kim),  Montray Sweat, Purdy Mitchell (Roy), Jeff West, Shanita Ivy, LaT isha West (Curtis), Brandon Ivy, Derrell Runnels, Evan Sweat, Ervin  Sweat, Dernard Livingston, Shernard Livingston (Angela), Tyana  Rodriguez, Ratiana Sweat, Rodney Sweat Jr., Rania Sweat, and  Ramil Sweat; 29 Wonderful Great Grandchildren, and 2 Precious  Great-Great Grandchildren; Sisters: Armogene Washington, Joerine  Jackson and Earnestine Meadows; Brothers: Donall Gowans and  James Gowans (Belinda); God-Daughters: Betty Petrillo and Mari lyn Patton, along with a Legacy of Amazing Nieces, Nephews,  Cousins, other Relatives and Friends.