She is the second of seven children born to the late Deacon Myer Whack and National Mother Annie M. Whack. She was saved under the dynamic preaching of Elder I. S. Simmons and joined Mt. Calvary Fire Baptized Holiness Church in Manning, SC at an early age.

 

She graduated as Salutatorian from Manning Training School, Manning, SC. She is a graduate of Benedict College, Columbia, SC, with a major in Mathematics. She received her Master’s Degree in Mathematics from South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC, and a Master’s Plus Thirty from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC. In December 2019, during the First Annual Bishop’s Appreciation Ceremony, she was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Pedagogy Degree.

 

She was married to Deacon Gunter Sweat for 49 ½ years. She is the proud and blessed mother of two sons, Tracy and Sedrick, two daughters-in-law, Tami and Michelle, and four grandchildren, Javaun, Sedrick Jr., Devon, and Taylor.

 

Dr. Sweat is a retired educator who has distinguished herself through a variety of roles in education, the church, and the community. She has held numerous positions during her professional career in Clarendon School District Two in Manning, SC, which includes high school Math teacher, Clarendon District Two Math Coordinator, assistant principal, principal, college professor, and Adult Education teacher. While serving as Mathematics Coordinator, she developed timed basic fact tests and administered them to all the students in grades one through five. Through the years, it became and is still known as the “Sweat Test.”

 

Among her many awards of honor include, but not limited to: Service Recognition Award of 33 Years, Clarendon School District Two Teacher of the Year, Educator of the Year Award, The Billie S. Fleming, Sr. Academic Award, The Dr. Lun Richardson Award, a life-long member of the National Council of Negro Women, and the Champion of Legend Award for Contribution to the Community.

 

She was and is an avid church worker who has served in many capacities of the church. To name a few, she served as church clerk, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, President of the Missionary Department, HYPU, Junior Usher Board, and Adult Choir.

 

She also served as secretary for many Sunday School and HYPU conventions, Annual and Sisters of Charity Conventions for the Northern and Southern Dioceses, instructor for the YPI Ambassadors’ class yearly, and District Secretary for the Columbia District for many years.

 

For 32 years, she served as Directress of Religious Education for the Columbia District. Under her leadership, the Columbia District Scholarship was established for current high school graduates. Many students have been blessed through these funds.

 

She served as a member of the Clarendon School District Two Board of Trustees for 21 years. She is also a member of the School Board of Trustees of Fuller Normal School, Greenville, SC, Secretary to the Finance Board of the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas. Presently, she is serving in her 20th year as District President of the Columbia District. She pastored Macedonia FBH Church in Silver, SC for nine years, and now is the pastor of her home church, Mt. Calvary F.B.H. Church, Manning, SC. In the General Council this past June 2022, she was elevated as National Junior Mother of the First Episcopal Diocese.

 

Living through her philosophy, “So live that the world may see Christ in me for I may be the only book that someone will read.” She has dedicated her life to helping and being a blessing to others. National Junior Mother and District President, Rev. Dr. Ethel Sweat believes Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” She is a very conscientious person, woman of distinction, integrity, faith, and most of all, a woman of prayer. She is dedicated and fully committed to the work of the Missionary Department. She enjoys what she does and is always excited about her work and brings excitement in the air wherever she goes. She loves people and children. There is no job or favor too small or great that she is not willing to undertake to help one in need.

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