December 3, 2022
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Page 58
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Obits - 103.1.6.1.7 "Uncle Harve" Sparks
Another death among the membership has been called to the Editor's attention. On October 11, 1954, "Uncle Harve" Sparks died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Robert Johnson, in Pearl, Kentucky -- a small mountain community on the Kentucky-Tennessee border, about 20 miles from Middlesboro,Kentucky.
"Uncle Harve" claimed to be the oldest man in Kentucky, having celebrated his 111th birthday last April 17; he gave his birth date as April 17, 1843.
103.1.6.1.7 Harvey Rufus Sparks was the son of 103.1.6.1 Ransom and Martha (Rainey) Sparks, "Uncle Harve" outlived 3 wives. His first wife was Liz Mulhollin, no children. He married, second, Tilda Murray, by whom he had children named:
103.1.6.1.7.1 William Sparks,
103.1.6.1.7.2 George Sparks,
103.1.6.1.7.3 Elizabeth Sparks,
103.1.6.1.7.4 Martha Sparks, and
103.1.6.1.7.5 Sarah Sparks.His third wife was Omega Pennington, by whom he had
103.1.6.1.7.6 Henry Sparks
In the last years of his life, "Uncle Harve" had a good appetite, could hear well, and could see well enough to read his family bible. He walked with the assistance of a cane and the aid of members of his family. Middlespboro, Kentucky, population 14,482 was the largest city he ever saw.