Margaret Adelaide de Zayas

Margaret Adelaide Sweat de Zayas (57), affectionately known as Missy, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, October 3, 2025. Missy was born in Lakeland on January 14, 1968, to Adelaide Clement Sweat and William Alfred Sweat, Jr.

A 1986 graduate of Santa Fe High where she was a calendar girl and cheered for the Crimson Hawks, Missy went on to study at Le Cordon Bleu and at Florida International University where she majored in Hospitality Management, a perfect fit for the girl who enjoyed entertaining and did so impeccably.

Missy's passion for travel resulted in her becoming an Eastern Airlines stewardess. This segued into a position with ExecuJet which took her to the Middle East where they flew for dignitaries until her love for family and friends drew her home again. After her return, Missy began a family of her own. She also joined the Jr. League of Greater Lakeland, and with heartfelt grace and unparalleled devotion and loyalty, she carried on her family's legacy of service.

Missy was currently serving on the Jr. League's Sustainer Engagement Committee as well as The Art of Tablescaping Committee. For many years she was the faithful manager and guardian of the League's historic building on Lake Morton. She was also a valued part of the League's leadership team and a trusted advisor to many. From planning League events to assisting brides with weddings and everything in between, Missy graciously shared her gift of hospitality and wanted each and every day to be a joyous celebration.

Missy's love for entertaining recently led her into helping create an event planning business called The Fêted Swan. A love for antiques culminated in her being a founder and later president of Provenance Antiques Circle. Whereas a love for patriotism and her family history saw Missy join the Lakeland DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) and help organize a local CAR (Children of the American Revolution) chapter.

But above all else, Missy loved Jesus, and this relationship was beautifully reflected in her treatment of others. Kind, compassionate, and generous, Missy not only enjoyed helping others, she loved praying for them both in her daily prayer walks in Bonnet Springs Park and through a prayer group that met weekly for years. Her family, friends, and even total strangers were the true beneficiaries of this largesse of heart and spirit. Missy exemplified the definition of love found in 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, and upon meeting Christ face to face, we have no doubt she heard Him proclaim, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

Missy is survived by her son Clement Benjamin de Zayas, daughter Cecelia Elizabeth Silva de Zayas, her sister Cecelia (Cece) Sweat Christian, her niece Adelaide (Addie) Brock Christian as well as many friends and extended family including her uncle David Sweat and her two aunts Evelyn Sweat Penkert (Rip) and Susanne Sweat Watson (Tom).

Saying goodbye to someone this well-loved is difficult, but thanks to Jesus, we know with certainty that Missy is truly "at home" now. To that end, a memorial service celebrating Missy's life and legacy will be conducted by Pastor Reggie Scarbrough and will take place in Lakeland at Family Worship Center on Thursday, October 16 at 3:00 pm with doors opening at 2:15 pm. A reception follows at Grasslands Country Club. We invite you to wear pink as it was her favorite color.

Memorial donations may be made to the Jr. League of Greater Lakeland Building Fund PO Box 8797 Lakeland, FL 33806, Family Worship Center 1350 East Main Street Lakeland, FL 33801, or to the charity of your choice.