Minister and Reverend Robert Brown Sweet—known to many as “Pops Sweet,” “RB,” or simply “Sweet”—completed his earthly journey on the evening of July 8, 2026. He was bornSeptember 22, 1931, in Many, Louisiana, to Pauline Brown, who later married C.L. Sweet. Robert entered a world that asked much of him, and he answered with resolve, faith, humor, and determination.

Robert’s story began in a sharecropper’s cottage during the harsh realities of Jim Crow. His mother’s family later relocated to Orange, Texas, where he spent his formative years and where the family established lasting roots. A proud graduate of Emma Wallace High School, Robert developed independence, sharp observation, curiosity, and an instinct for strategy that served him throughout his life.

He began working as a young sweeper boy in a local barbershop, watching, learning, and dreaming. With guidanceand discipline, he attended Tyler Barber College and became a respected figure in the barbering community, proving that character could carry a person from the broom to the chair.

Robert served overseas in the Korean War. After returning home, he met the woman who would anchor his life: Claudette Francois, an extraordinary young singer who later became a community activist and educator. By the time they married in Beaumont, Texas, Robert was already a young minister pursuing seminary studies in Denver. His commitment to learning continued through the Blackstone School of Law, where he studied Paralegal Science. Later at the request of St. Paul’s Ministry, he was ordained at Zion Baptist Church to serve as Associate Pastor and Sunday school teacher.

A true Renaissance man, Robert sought truth and expertisewherever life led him. In addition to ministry and barbering, he held a real estate broker’s license and embraced natural health. As an herbalist and advocate for plant-based healing, he often trusted nature’s wisdom, a holistic approach that reflected his discipline and helped sustain his remarkable vitality.

His professional life was as colorful as his interests. A devoted Denver Broncos fan, Robert became a trusted barber and confidant to local sports legends including Haven Moses, Rick Upchurch, Otis Armstrong, Floyd Little, Claudie Minor, Tom Jackson, and many preachers, teachers, neighbors, and friends.He also had the pleasure of serving legendary actor and athlete Bubba Smith, who shared his Orange, Texas, roots and sought out Robert’s steady hand and wise counsel.

Robert’s influence reached deeply into his family. He instilled entrepreneurship in his sons: Robert Joseph, who built RJS Roofing and Construction and carried forward the pastoralmantle, and David, who founded World Juice Bar using inspiration from his father’s juice recipes and commitment to mentoring young people. His daughter Margaret inherited his humor, warmth, love of people, and musical spirit from her mother, Claudette. Robert also loved sports, meals with friends at Country Buffet, and, until only weeks ago, his daily walk to McDonald’s. He was famous for his potato salad, proudly served with baked chicken at Sunday dinners.

To the community, Robert was an anchor: a storyteller, a listener, and a man with a magnetic sense of humor. He loved to crack a joke, and his own delight in the telling often made others laugh before the punchline arrived. His circle of friends was deep and diverse, reflecting a man who reached across lines and generations to connect with people throughout his ninety-four years. He kept lasting friendships to his final curtain call.

Robert leaves a legacy that continues to grow. He is survived by his beloved wife, Claudette Sweet; daughter Margaret Gbeugre; sons Robert Sweet (Patricia) and David Sweet (Denise); spiritual daughter Annette McCoy (Bill); sister Juanita Louis; grandchildren Katrina, J.R. Duffey, LeToya, Christopher, Tyriq, Charles, Joshua, Candice, Shanikki, Crystal, Miyesha, and Kinyana; and great-grandchildren Lexus, Ariyon, Jada, Nasim, Acelyn, Sergio, Antonio, Serenity, Justin, Revera, and baby Novella. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother Pauline Sweet, father Clifton “C.L.” Sweet and beloved granddaughter, Jessica Sweet-Moore.