Obituary of Mary Lois Hudson Sweatt

Obituary of Mary Hudson Sweatt Mary Lois Hudson Sweatt passed away June 15, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. She was born on June 21, 1939 in Houston, Texas to the late Samuel W. Hudson, Jr. and the late Ella Lois Hudson. Mary Lois married Dr. James L. Sweatt, III on June 16, 1962 and became the loving mother of James L. Sweatt IV, William H. Sweatt, Alisa L. Sweat Rolle, and Mary Elizabeth Sweatt Jackson. Graduating as valedictorian of Lincoln High School in 1956, Mary Lois went on to earn a B.A. degree in Dance and Music and a M.A. degree in Modern Dance from Mills College, Oakland, California. She founded the Mary Lois School of Dance, Inc. in Dallas in 1971. Before retiring in 2004, Mary Lois mentored over 1,000 students, in grades preschool through high school and taught the important life skill of being well rounded by requiring them to study ballet, tap, jazz, modern and international dance. Dance alums have pursued college and professional degrees. Now in its 45th year, the dance school continues under the direction of Tiffany Furlough and Lori Slaughter. They honored Mary Lois at the most recent recital with a plaque thanking her for “touching lives through dance.” Mary Lois was the first black to serve on the faculty of the Hockaday School and Ursuline Academy. At the Perkins School of Theology at SMU, she pioneered as a resource specialist and lecturer for Black liturgical dance. At her Mills College 47th reunion for her B.A. and 45th for her MA, Mary Lois was honored for having a connection to the late dance legend, African American Katherine Dunham. She was the first black featured in the “High Profile” section of the Dallas Morning News. An active leader and supporter in the Dallas community, Mary Lois served in many capacities and received many honors for her service as a member, officer, and board member. A long-time member of the Links Incorporated, Dallas Chapter, she served the youth community through their service projects. Mary Lois served on the Beckles Dancing Company Board of Directors. Other boards on which she served included the Dance Council, Dallas Theater Center, Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, Young Audiences of Greater Dallas, Ronald McDonald House, Women’s Council of Dallas County, and Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services. She was a member of Girlfriends Inc., Dallas Jack and Jill Associates, Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Dallas County Medical Society Alliance and St. Luke Presbyterian Church. Included among her many accolades are: the Mary Bywaters Award for Lifetime Achievements given by the Dance Council, the South Dallas Dance Festival Community Award for Dance, named an outstanding Texan by the Legislative Black Caucus and the Tejas Girl Scout Council recognized her as an outstanding role model. Other awards include Black Women: Achievement Against the Odds; Galaxy of Star Achievers Certificate of Excellence in Fine Arts; “Heroes Among Us” by WFAA-TV; the Summit Award from the African American Women’s Entrepreneurs Inc.; Outstanding African American Female by the African American Juvenile Probation Officers Association; the Dallas Metropolitan Club of National Association of Negro Businesses and Professional Women’s Clubs Inc.; and the Laurel Award from the Dallas Branch of the American Association of University Women. She was a cousin to many and “second mother’ to even more. Her smile was infectious and her personality filled with passion and vibrancy. Many were touched by her loving spirit. The family of Mary Lois Hudson Sweatt would like to thank you for joining us to celebrate her life —a life that truly touched others in so many ways. She’s preceded in the death by her parents and brother, Clifford J. Hudson. Mary Lois Hudson Sweatt is survived by her husband, Dr. James L. Sweatt III; their children and spouses, James Sweatt (Ulysesa), William Sweatt (Ana), Alisa Sweatt Rolle (Edison), and Mary Sweatt Jackson (Michael); grandchildren Imani, Marc, Edison, Myles, Nia, Katarina, Cristina, Remi, Madison, Hudson, Zuri, William, Zahra, and Sofia; and siblings Samuel W. Hudson III (Henri), Estrellita Hudson Redus (Raleigh), Camellia Hudson Franklin, sister-in-law, Belinda Hudson; 15 nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins. Host of other relatives and friends.