Thomas S. Sparks

Thomas married Alice Louise Canipe on 22 Dec 1895 in Mitchell County, , , North Carolina. Alice (daughter of Ebern B. Canipe and Ann Eliabeth "Eliza" Insco) was born on 11 Sep 1882 in Mitchell County, , , North Carolina; died on 3 Jun 1972 in Unicoi County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, , Unicoi County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Texie married David G. Peters about 1920 in , Avery County, North Carolina, . David (son of James Peters and Mary Ann Hoilman) was born on 23 Jul 1893 in Mitchell County, , , North Carolina; died on 15 Mar 1942 in , Avery County, North Carolina, ; was buried in Slippery Hill Cemetery, , Avery County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Pearl married Jacob D. Ollis on 17 Dec 1912 in , Mitchell County, North Carolina, . Jacob (son of Enzor L. Ollis and Susan Louisa Clarke) was born on 1 Jul 1893 in , Mitchell County, North Carolina, ; died on 5 May 1964 in , Avery County, North Carolina, . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Handy married Myrtle Mae Hicks on 17 May 1930 in Unicoi County, , , Tennessee. Myrtle was born on 28 May 1907 in Unicoi County, , , Tennessee; died on 27 May 1991 in Unicoi County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, , Unicoi County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Floyd married Dorothy Beatrice Ford on 9 Sep 1939 in , Washington County, Tennessee, . Dorothy was born on 30 Nov 1921 in , Unicoi County, Tennessee, ; died on 18 Jul 2011 in , Washington, Tennessee, ; was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Unicoi County, Tennessee, . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Leona Peters Cook, age 83, of Minneapolis, went home to be with her Lord on Tuesday, April 7th, 2015 at her home. A native of Unicoi, TN, she was a daughter of the late Dave and Texie Sparks Peters. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Calvin Cook, who passed away in July of 2009; sisters: Lucy Snyder, Ruth Pittman and Mary Cook and brothers: Charlie Peters and Dave Peters, Jr. Leona was a member of Belview Baptist Church and enjoyed working jigsaw puzzles. She used to make crochet dolls to give to her friends.

Surviving is her daughter, Glenda Bowman and husband, David, of Altamont; sons: Phillip Cook and wife, Debbie, of Newland and Calvin Cook, Jr. also of Newland; grandchildren: Denny Bowman, Dorinda Franklin, Stephen Cook, David Cook and Holly Cook; great-grandchildren: Keilah Bowman, Jonas Bowman, Haley Franklin and Oliviana Cook. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, April 10th in Belview Baptist Church. Rev. Michael Ricker and Rev. Tommy Carver. Burial will follow in the Belview Cemetery.

Dorl married Edgar Jackson Singleton about 1943 in , Avery County, North Carolina, . Edgar (son of Samuel Leander Singleton and Margaret Ellafare "Ella" Moody) was born on 21 Mar 1915 in , Avery County, North Carolina, ; died on 1 Oct 1946 in , Avery County, North Carolina, ; was buried in Slippery Hill Cemetery, Avery County, North Carolina, . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

ERWIN - Handy John "H.J." Sparks, age 86, of Erwin, went home to be with his Lord, on Sunday, March 4, 2018 at the Center on Aging and Health.

Mr. Sparks was a native of Erwin and a son of the late Handy and Myrtle Mae (Hicks) Sparks. He was a proud veteran of the United States Navy and a Foreman at Clinchfield Railroad. H.J. served faithfully at First Christian Church. He was hardworking and dependable and he never met a stranger. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by three brothers: Edward Sparks, Dennis E. Sparks and Douglas Sparks

Handy John "H.J." Sparks leaves behind to cherish his memory: Wife: Berdie (Coffie) Sparks, of Erwin; Sister: Patsy Sparks, of Erwin; Sisters-in-law: Alice Sparks, of Erwin; Edith Sparks, of Erwin; Several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to offer special thanks to the staff at the Center on Aging and Health for their love and care.

The family respectfully requests the honor of your presence as we offer tribute and remember the life of Handy John "H.J." Sparks in a graveside committal service to be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 in Evergreen Cemetery. Brother Steven Sparks will officiate.

Notes:

Dennis Eugene Sparks, age 81, 109 Banner Street, Erwin passed away on Sunday, February 14, 2016 at the Erwin Health Care Center. He was a lifelong resident of Erwin. Mr. Sparks was a son of the late Handy and Myrtle Hicks Sparks. He was an employee of American Water Heater for twenty-seven years. Mr. Sparks was a member of Love Chapel Christian Church. Other than his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers: Doug and Edward Sparks.

He leaves behind to cherish his memories, wife of fifty-eight years, Edith Jean Sparks; one son, Dennis James Sparks and wife, Lorraine; one brother, H.J. Sparks and wife, Berdie; one sister, Patsy Sparks; one sister-in-law, Alice Sparks; two nephews: Steven Sparks and wife, Tonya, Todd Rogers and wife, Vickie; one niece, Gina Haun all of Erwin.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M until the hour of service Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at the Robert Ledford Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Steven Edward Sparks will officiate at the 2:00 P.M. service. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

Notes:

JOHNSON CITY - Sue Sparks Wilson, of Johnson City, passed away peacefully on May 25 after a brief illness.

She was of the Baptist faith and lifelong member of Ninth Street Baptist Church in Erwin, Tenn.

She is preceded in death by her parents Floyd D. Sparks and Beatrice Ford Sparks; her brother, Floyd “Dave” Sparks.

Survivors include her son, Thomas D. Wilson; special aunt Evelyn Ford; and many beloved cousins from the Sparks and Ford families.

Sue had a big personality and an even bigger heart. A heart full of love she gave away freely. Several years of declining health did not diminish her spirit or her love for others. She was a devout Christian and shared that faith with anyone she could reach. She cared about people. She was the best daughter, sister, and mother anyone could know.

She graduated from Unicoi County High School where she was involved in many activities and held numerous class leadership positions. She was also captain of the cheerleading squad in her senior year. She attended East Tennessee State University for three years where she majored in Business.

She began working in the telecommunications industry while in college. She worked her way up to general manager of cable television systems in the northeast Tennessee region from Warner Communications to Scripps-Howard Cable and Comcast. She served as president of the state chapter of Women in Cable during the late 1980s. Through this role she worked to advocate the role of women as leaders in the industry. She earned numerous awards and recognitions for her work in the industry.

Her career later led her to become customer services manager at Bill Gatton Chevrolet-Cadillac in Bristol. Sue delighted in working with customers and co-workers alike. She spent 10 years with a wonderful group of colleagues who became dear friends to her long after she retired.

Sue’s family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 27, 2022, in the Robert Ledford Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Steve Rice will officiate her funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 28, 2022, in the Evergreen Cemetery Mausoleum. Pallbearers will be chosen from family and friends. Honorary pallbearers are Randy Rice, Chris Lee, Doug Mullins, Ronnie Hamilton, John Wright, Jr., and Robert Carpenter.