Charles W. Sweatt, 85, of Paducah, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on October 1st, 2026, at the Ray and Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center, just three days shy of his 86th birthday.
Charles was born on October 4th, 1940, to the late William Walter Sweatt and Mable Jeanette Coplen Sweatt. He grew up in Paducah and graduated from Paducah Tilghman High School. He made his home in Paducah with the love of his life, Monna Gage Sweatt, for 50 years before she passed away in 2012.
Charles followed in his dad’s footsteps and worked for Federal Materials Concrete for 18 years until the company was sold. He later finished his working career with Kraft Foods.
He spent his entire life fishing, both commercially and recreationally. He became affectionately known throughout the neighborhood as “the fish man,” often sharing his catch with anyone hungry, whether they could pay for it or not.
An avid and skilled hunter, he harvested several impressive trophy deer from the KOA in the 1970s and had many bag-limit days of duck and goose hunting throughout Kentucky, other states, and Canada. He was talented at woodworking and could build anything. Over the years, he turned many of Monna’s “Better Homes and Gardens” magazine dreams into reality in the house they shared for over 40 years.
Later in life, Charles fully embraced his role as head chef for the family. From homemade biscuits and gravy for breakfast to hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch to steak, salad, and baked potato for dinner, he always cooked way too much-just in case someone else showed up. For him, it was about more than good food; it was about bringing family and friends together around the table.
After Monna passed away, Charles was determined to keep living life to the fullest. He danced at least three nights a week well into his 80s. He passed his love of music on to his six grandsons, providing piano, guitar, mandolin, and banjo lessons. He also made sure they had a piano in their home and any instrument they wanted to play.
Charles was hardworking and determined, seeing to it that both of his daughters received a college degree, which he proudly paid for. He never met a stranger and absolutely loved everyone. And he was never short on words!
But above all, nothing made Charles happier than being Papaw. His grandsons and great-granddaughter were among the greatest joys of his life, and he loved every moment he had with them.
As he so wanted to do, he “boogie woogied right on out of here.” No doubt, when his time came, he landed on the streets of gold with his dancing shoes on.
He is survived by his two daughters, Carla Jetton and husband Bert, and Ellen Powless and husband Chris; six grandsons, Jacob Jetton, Matthew Jetton, Seth Jetton and wife Olivia, Samuel Powless, Thomas Powless, and Joseph Powless; and one beloved great-granddaughter, Alesi Jetton, and her mother, Elizabeth Dean, all of Paducah. He is also survived by his brother Rickie Sweatt; nephew “like a brother”, Kenny Walter and wife Phyllis, all of Paducah; as well as many dearly loved cousins, nieces, and nephews.
In addition to his beloved wife, Monna, and his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his brother, Larry Sweatt, and sister, Linda Riggins, all of Paducah.
Charles was a member of the Baptist faith and attended First Baptist Church of Paducah, where he served on several Kentucky Changers Project building teams over the years. Trad York will be officiating his service.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, beginning at 11:00 a.m., with the funeral service following at 1:00 p.m. at Milner & Orr Funeral Home, 120 Memorial Drive, Paducah. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Kyle Turnbo, Dr. Andrew Kinchen, and their staff. Charles’ ability to cope with vascular dementia would not have been possible without their exceptional care. The family also extends its sincere appreciation to The Lakes of Paducah for their love, support, and assistance, which allowed him to remain in a home-like setting while maintaining his dignity.
The family is grateful to Helping Hands, Megan Reid, and Joseph Powless, who were all special caregivers to Charles. To the compassionate nurses and chaplains of Ray and Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center, the family is blessed by the loving care you provided to Charles, truly being the hands and feet of Jesus to him and our family during his final days of his life.
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