Rev. Dr. Carl L. Sweat, Jr.

Carl L. Sweat, Jr. of New Road, Suffolk, VA departed his life and went to be with the Lord on July 25, 2022. He was born on March 14, 1963, to Virginia Sweat Murphy and the late Carl Leondus Sweat, Sr. He is predeceased by his sister, Tammy A. Sweat. Carl is a 1982 graduate of Forest Glen High School. After graduation he attended Virginia Union University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Urban Affairs in 1986. Carl furthered his education and attended Central Michigan University where he received a master’s degree in Administrative Science. He received a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from Providence Theological Seminary. At an early age, he became a member of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church where he was a member for several years before moving his membership to Laurel Hill United Church of Christ to be with his wife, Janice. Carl was called to the Ministry in 1992 and became the Pastor of Laurel Hill United Church of Christ in 2000. He loved “Teaching and Preaching” God’s Word. Rev. Sweat was a professor at Paul D. Camp Community College, Tidewater Community College, and Chowan University. Rev. Sweat was a go-getter! He was fully committed to his church family and the people in the community. The love and support he provided his family are immeasurable. He loved his grandchildren with all his heart. He is survived by his wife, Janice Hicks Sweat (35 years) and two children; Carl L. Sweat, III (Adriana) and April J. Sweat both of Suffolk; five grandchildren; Damias A. Sweat, Kennedy A. Sweat, Ellie M. Sweat, William E. Black IV and Luke Sinclair Leondus Sweat. He is also survived by his mother, Virginia Sweat Murphy of Franklin, VA; two brothers; Kenneth Sweat of Chesapeake, VA and JuDonald Sweat of Franklin, VA; sister Carlette Sweat Copeland of Houston, TX; two aunts; Jean Hairston, and Vivian House; uncle, Josh Sweat; mother-in-law, Rosa B. Hicks; brother-in-law, Derwin Hicks (Margaret); two sisters-in-law; Valerie Spencer (David) and Janine Rawls; seven nephews, 13 nieces, a host of cousins and friends. A celebration of life will be held at noon Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Zion Christian Church, 5200 Quaker Road, Suffolk, VA 23437. Rev. Sweat will be laid to rest at Laurel Hill United Church of Christ, 8001 South Quay Road, Suffolk, VA 23437. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rev. Dr. Carl L. Sweat, Jr., please visit our flower store.