On Tuesday, January 4, 2022, Janette Miller Sweat passed due to an extend illness at the age of 72 years old. She was born July 16, 1949 as an only child to the late Walter Miller and Annette Cain Miller in Orangeburg, South Carolina.

She was christened at Trinity United Methodist Church and remained faithful to her church where she volunteered throughout her entire life. In her lifespan, she went to the highly competitive Felton Laboratory School from K-8th grade.  She graduated from Wilkinson High School in 1967 and later achieved her Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education from South Carolina State College (University) and contined on to recieve her Masters Degree from Rutgers University. She retired as a Guidance Counselor from Felton Laboratory School.

She loved spending time with family.  She spent some summers with her Mother's Sisters, Aunt Corine and Aunt Florence, who migrated to New York in the late 1930's. There she was reunited with her Cousin Carolyn Cain, who was her mentor, at her summer internship position at Morgan Guarantee Trust Company, on Wall Street. In her later years, her career led her to guidance counseling and she also taught adult education and career development classes.

She married the love of her life the late Mr. Fellie Sweat, Jr. who she met while at South Carolina State College. Janette and Fellie celebrated the birth of their daughter, Melanie on June 27, 1978.

Janette Sweat was a warrior against racial injustice in the 1960's and a pioneer for the Civil Rights Movement. In the 12th grade, she participated in the lunch counter sit ins and was arrested and went to jail for protesting segregation and advocating for Civil Rights in Orangeburg S.C., during the perilous times of segregation. Her commitment to social justice continued at South Carolina State College where she joined the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNNC) who participated in the march to the Bowling Alley during the Orangeburg Massacre.  Janette was a member of the illustrious Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Janette had a passion for reading novels, ranging from horror and sci-fi Stephen King stories to stories of crime and justice pinned by Sidney Sheldon and John Grisham. She named her cars Betty!!! Her hobbies were nature lover, plants, cats, and her sidekick Sunni!! Janette is remembered for being so funny and having a dry sense of humor. She loved satires, and sketch comedy shows such as Saturday Night Live, and stand-up comedy acts ranging from Richard Pryor to Def Comedy Jam. Her laughter was infectious. She always enjoyed a good laugh and always had a profound way of making you smile. She was your go to person, a confidant, and compassionate listener! Her role as a guidance counselor was instinctive personified by her natural personality, as she effortlessly assisted students and others with their needs.

She is survived by her daughter Melanie Sweat Jefferson, her son-in-law Joseph Jefferson, III, two grandsons Joshua and Jonathan Jefferson. She also leaves behind a host of family and friends and in particularly a special bond with her sister cousin Palmer (Pam) Cain Williams that was by her side throughout her life and played a integral role in caregiving and companionship until her death. She will be greatly missed!