Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mr. Christopher Ryan Sweazie, 39, of Arlington, VA died Thursday, February 23, 2022, at home.

Born November 3, 1982, in Alexandria, LA, he was the son of the late Charles Sweazie Sr. and Deborah White Sweazie.

Chris was an avid sport fans who loved playing football, basketball, but baseball was his first love. His favorite baseball player was Ken Griffey Jr. In high school, he once made 22 tackles in a game which at the time was a school record. He enjoyed the thrill of competition, excelled under pressure and was fearless. Chris always had a smile on his face and a song in his heart. He was a walking encyclopedia of hip-hop lyrics.

Chris spent the first 6 years of his life in Louisiana before moving to Arlington, VA with his family in 1989. He graduated from McLean High School in 2000 and attended West Virginia University. Arlington had a special place in Chris heart and it’s where he spent his last days.

He was preceded in death by both of his parents and is survived by his two brothers, Charles and Chad.

As I reflect on my brother’s life, a theme emerges; that tough times do not last forever but tough people do. Chris will be remembered as a survivor and who made the best of his circumstances. As brothers, our world forever changed on May 22, 1997, when our mother passed away. It hit harder for Chris because he was so young. Losing your mother is like losing your best friend in the world. After losing his mother, he had to grow up fast. He overcame a lot and packed a lot of living into 39 all-too-brief years. I take comfort in the knowledge that the Lord doesn’t burden us with any more than we can bear, and that Chris has been set free. Let his memory be a living testament to the everlasting promise of Psalm 27:

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

Though an army should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, even in this will I be confident.

One thing have I desired of the Lord; that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple.

For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret places of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me upon a rock.

And then shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me; therefore I will offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.

Funeral service will be 1:00PM Monday, March 14, 2022 at the Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor Chapel 748 S. Fayette St. Beckley. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park, Beckley.

Friends, while wearing masks and observing social distancing, may view and visit with the family one hour prior to the funeral service.

Email condolences to ritchiejohnsonfuneralparlor@gmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.