Helen Sweatt

Helen Belle Sweatt, age 92, passed peacefully on October 13, 2025, at her Westminster Shores residence in St Petersburg. Helen was born on January 25, 1933, in St Petersburg, the youngest of five girls. She was a lifelong resident of St Petersburg and a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and a dear friend to many.

Helen lost her father, Thomas, while just an infant, and her mother, Mary, when just 12. Helen spent her teen years living with her older adult sisters. Helen attended St Petersburg High, and during the summers she worked as a camp counselor at Florida Methodist Youth Camp in Leesburg.

After graduating high school in 1952, Helen completed nurse training at Mound Park Hospital and worked as a nurse there until her marriage to Paul in 1955. Helen and Paul bought their first home in 1956 and began raising their family. After both children were in school, she began her professional career.

Helen began work as a detective for the St Petersburg Police Dept in 1963 where she worked for 27 years, primarily in the Youth Services Bureau. Helen was a pioneer for female officers while at SPPD, earning her promotion to Sargeant in 1977, and then Lieutenant in 1985 – promotions which were among the first for women officers at SPPD. During Helen's nearly 30 distinguished years at SPPD, she received several awards which included "Police Officer Of The Month" by Police Magazine in 1971, the first St. Petersburg officer to earn the award and the St. Petersburg Rotary Club's annual "Ned March Award" for distinguished police work in 1982. She lectured on juvenile issues at St. Petersburg Junior College, the Police Academy and at Florida Bar summer courses at the University of Florida. She appeared before the Florida Legislature on juvenile issues. Gov. Bob Graham appointed her to the Conference on Children and Youth in 1981. Helen also served on a host of child welfare committees. Helen retired from SPPD in 1990.

During the mid 1990s, Helen and Paul made summer vacation trips to New Mexico where their grandchildren lived, spending time in and around Santa Fe, and then taking the kids back to St Petersburg for the remainder of the summer.

In 2004, Helen lost Paul to cancer. She remained at the family home until 2010, when she made the move to Westminster Shores. She spent her years actively at Westminster, taking several trips to visit and help family members, going on Florida lighthouse excursions with her daughter, visiting the Smoky Mountains area, and making new friends at home. Helen was an avid reader for her entire life, reading a variety of fiction and non-fiction books from the local bookstores. She enjoyed many creative activities including drawing, painting, writing, and sewing. She loved playing games, working jigsaw puzzles, watching TV mysteries, walking, gardening, and genealogy research for family and friends.

Helen was active in the United Methodist Church and worked as a leader with the United Methodist Women throughout her life. During the 1960s, she served as an elementary Sunday school teacher at Pasadena Community Church. In the early 1970s, she transitioned to Childs Park UMC where she taught, and served on various committees, including United Methodist Cooperative Ministries. In 2002, upon the closing of Childs Park, Helen joined St Luke's UMC and picked up where she left off, teaching and leading various ministry programs at the church.

Helen is survived by her daughter Mary Sweatt of St Petersburg; son Wayne Sweatt of San Diego; two granddaughters, Ashley Browning of Sandia Park, NM, Savannah Sweatt of Calgary, AB; as well as several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her grandson Ian Sweatt, and her four sisters, Dora Burt, Bessie Constantine, Mary Lee Keaton, and Martha Geis.

A service in remembrance of Helen will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 5:00 PM at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 4444 5th Ave N, St Petersburg, FL 33713. A St Petersburg Police Honor Guard will be present at the service.

In lieu of flowers the family would encourage donations to St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Helen's name.