Fred Sweeney

Reverend Fred L. Sweeney, Sr., was born April 17, 1934, in Greenville County, South Carolina. He was the son of the late Wesley Sweeney and the late Virdie Lee Young Sweeney. He was educated in the Greenville County public school system and was a graduate of the Saint Albans Training High School in Simpsonville, South Carolina. While serving in the US Air Force, he furthered his education by attending the University of Maryland Extension School and later attended Greenville Technical College and Morris College Extension School of Religion.

Reverend Sweeney accepted the Lord as his personal Savior at an early age. In January 1971, he accepted the call of God to preach the Gospel. In May 1971, he accepted the call to be the pastor of Mount Sinai Baptist Church of Greenville where he served for twenty years.

In May 1991, Reverend Sweeney became pastor of Lower Shady Grove Baptist Church in Woodruff, South Carolina. Under the direction of the Holy Spirit, he fulfilled the vision of building a new church in 2002. He started Pastor and Children’s Bible Discussion, encouraged, assisted and motivated people of all ages through the Word of God and His wisdom, and developed, nurtured and birthed leaders. Reverend Sweeney retired from Lower Shady Grove Baptist Church on December 28, 2015.

After accepting the call to preach the Word of God, the Lord allowed Reverend Sweeney to serve in a number of capacities. He served as Moderator of the Enoree River Union, Director of Camp Enoree, President of the Greenville and Vicinity Baptist Ministers Fellowship and Trustee of Tri-Association Properties. Additionally, Reverend Sweeney was the founder and host of the Community Awareness Radio Talk Show on WPJM Radio Station in Greer, South Carolina.

Reverend Sweeney was married to the late Reverend Shirley A. King-Sweeney of Greenville, South Carolina. Their union was blessed with three children: Fred L. (Rochelle) Sweeney, Jr., Rev. Audrey V. (Rev. James) Sweeney-Hailstock and Aaron Benjamin Sweeney. He was the proud grandfather of seven: Ebony Sweeney, Alex Hailstock, Jessica Hailstock, Princess Sweeney, Cyrus Sweeney, Fred L. Sweeney, III, and Adam Sweeney. He also leaves to cherish his memories two very special nieces, Virdie Hallums and Kathy Dickey and many other relatives and friends.


In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Lower Shady Grove Baptist Church.