Grady Bernard Sweeney, 83, passed away Friday, May 10, 2024, at the Smoky Mountain Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Grady, a native of Hillsboro (Leiper’s Fork), TN, graduated from Franklin High School in 1958. He earned his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree in 1964 from the University of Tennessee. He was a longstanding member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, where he held several offices, a member of the Army Reserves and active in numerous Engineering clubs and projects.
After graduation, he worked as General Foreman for Norfolk Southern Railway (originally Southern Railway). He spent 33 years at the Atlanta Diesel Shop before retiring to Knoxville. He and his wife, Nancy lived there 18 years and usually a dog or two (Abraham, Mona, and several grand dogs) made their house a home.
A move to Balsam, NC was next in store, where they relocated to “The Mansion” on Ridgecrest Rd in 2022, enjoying the beautiful scenery and visiting with family.
Grady loved talking about Franklin history and memories, model trains, planes, NASCAR, and all UT sports – GO VOLS! A big country music fan, it was common to hear him serenading his daughters, wife, and even his dogs. When not strumming his ukulele, he enjoyed “tinkering” and woodworking. At 83, he still had the heart of a kid and never met a stranger. These traits, along with his pretty blue eyes and sweet smile, will live on in his loved ones.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy; two daughters, Charlotte Anne and Susan (“Lil Grady”) Sweeney, both of Asheville, NC; nephew Bob (Cecile) Gentry; great nieces Calvert (Jason) McMahan and their sons Preston and Holden; Brenna Gentry, her son Harrison; Jenni Gentry and son Wyatt, all of Franklin.
He was preceded in death by his sister Peggy Anne and brother in-law Bobby Gentry, and niece Jane Britt Gentry; Parents Alta Mae (Fox) and Bernard Britt Sweeney; two sisters, Agnes “Sis” Rose Misuraca and Betty Jean; and three brothers, William Gerald, James Britt, and Billy.
Receiving of friends will be Saturday, June 29th from 11:00 am -1:00 pm at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home, 3009 Columbia Ave, Franklin, TN, with graveside visitation to follow at the Hillsboro – Leiper’s Fork Cemetery located at Old State Hwy 96, Leiper’s Fork, TN.
In addition, there will be a gathering of friends and family on July 6th at 2:00pm at 265 Bear Crossing, Balsam, NC.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Williamson County Animal Center at www.adoptwcas.org or the Haywood County Animal Shelter at www.haywoodcounty.gov/154/Animal-Animal Services.
