Rev. Dr. Rudolph Isiah Sweet, Sr.: A Life Well-Lived

Favorite Scripture

God has designed a plan for all His children.  His plan for our beloved Rev. Dr. Rudolph Isiah Sweet, Sr. began on January 15, 1931 on a wintry day when he was born to the union of Gus David Sweet and Winona Tibbs Sweet in Many, Louisiana.  He was the second born of three siblings to this union.  Getting a quality education was installed in Rudy at an early age.  This guidance led him to put learning high on his first of priorities.  After completing his elementary and high school studies and serving in the military, he was motivated to seek higher education, where he successfully earned an Associates and a Bachelor's Degree from Columbia College and both a Master's Degree and a Doctorate Degree from Andersonville Baptist Seminary in Camilla, Georgia. Congregation.  This man of God didn't limit his skills to his careers, but he took an active role in the Rudy, as his family and friends lovingly called him, began his spiritual walk at the Star Valley Baptist Church in Ponchatoula, LA.  He learned early to have faith; to be honest; to have pride in both self and work; and to be sensitive to others.  These principles helped to frame and anchor his life.  Rudy's leadership skills and his work ethics led him to multiple careers.  He served 21 years in the military (Korean War Veteran), where he earned the rank of E6-Staff Sergeant, and 17.5 years as a dependable United States Mail Carrier.  Rudy continued his Christian journey at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, Wichita, Kansas, where he became a licensed and ordained Deacon and later became a licensed and ordained Minister.  He served for 16 years as a much-loved  Pastor of St. John Baptist Church in Independence, Kansas where her provided religious, moral, and emotional support to his congregation.  This man of God didn't limit his skills to his careers, but took an active role in the church community and other organizations.  For years, he was faithful member of the Southern District of Kansas Missionary Baptist Convention, where he served as Dean, President, and Vice Moderator.  During his later years, he remained active preaching, singing, teaching as Pastor Emeritus and Advisor to the Pastor at the Greater Mizpah Baptist Church. Rudy was a loving husband of 67 years to his soul mate, Annie Lee Craig Sweet, a devoted father to his daughter, Winona Ann Sweet, and his sons, Rudolph Sweet, Jr., and Donald Sweet.  He was a devout grandfather to his grand and great-grandchildren.  He was truly a man who cared deeply for his family.  One of the greatest blessings God gave to Rudy's family and friends was the gift of his love.  Our beloved Rudy made the world a better place.  He leaves a legacy of joy, pride, and pleasant memories to all who met him, to all who ever had a long conversation with him, and to all who interacted with him in any way.  He will be sadly missed, but he is with God who loves him best. On Monday, March 9, 2020, Rudy departed this world of labor and arrived to a new world of rewards.  He is Preceded in death by his patents, Gus David Sweet and Winona Tibbs Sweet, his sister Izetta D. Bettis, his Brothers; Gerald D. Sweet and Hiram W. Terry and his grandson, La Vance Williams.  He leaves to cherish his memories a loving family: his wife, Anne Lee Craig Sweet, his daughter, Winona Anne Sweet, his sons, Rudolph Sweet, Jr. (Mary) and Donald Sweet; his sisters, Jacquelyn Elaine Crook (Alonzo) and Wildred Ruth Motto; his seven grandchildren; his 14 great grandchildren; his sister-in-law; his brother-in-law; his cousin, Lee Sweet (Ruth), a host of nieces, nephews.