August 18, 2023
Pages
Whole Number 0
OBITUARIES
Page 125
Whole Number 13
Death Claims Della Sparks
Once more we must report the death of a member of the Association. Miss Della Sparks died February 11, 1955, in the Safford Inn Hospital at Safford, Arizona. She was born October 14, 1882, in Lawrence County, Kentucky, the daughter of the late Henry and Didema (Bentley) Sparks of Davisville, Kentucky. Miss Della went west at an early age, spending considerable time in the state of Washington, going to Arizona about twenty years ago, where she resided until her death. She is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Angie Chandler of Beaver, Ohio, and Mrs. Linda Wheeler of Minford, Ohio.
Page160
Whole Number 15
OBITUARY OF MRS. ESTELLA SPARKS
In the September, 1955, issue of The Sparks Quarterly we reported the death of William Granvil Sparks. We must now report the death of his widow, Mrs. Estella (Morse) Sparks who passed away on June 22, 1956, at the home of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. B. P. Wallin of Grant, Nebraska.
Mrs. Sparks was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Morse and was born August 31, 1874, at Belleville, Wisconsin She was eighty-one years old at the time of her death. At an early age she moved with her parents, brother and sister by covered wagon to Kansas and later to Faulkton, S.D. When still a small girl she was baptized in a river near Faulkton and joined the Methodist Church to which faith she remained a faithful member until her death. At Easter time of this year she was presented her fifty year membership pin of the church at Soottsbluff which was her home.
From Dakota the family moved to Beatrice, Nebr., and on March 7, 1894, she was united in marriage to William Granvil Sparks at Beatrioe. Eight children were born to this union: Mrs. Alta Crook and Mrs. Lucile Miller of Scottsbluff, Nebr.; Mrs. Edith Wallin of Grant, Nebr.; Chester Sparks of Kearney; Ralph Sparks of Fort Collins, Cole.; Norbert Sparks of North Platte, Nebr.; Mainard Sparks of Denver, Cole. One son, Wallace, passed away in 1930.
In 1915, Mr. and Mrs. Sparks moved with their family to a farm south of Parton, Nebr. They spent the next seventeen years on farms in Perkins, Keith and Lincoln counties and in 1932 they purchased a home in North Platte and retired. While living in North Platte, she was an active member in community affairs and belonged to the Mary Lincoln group of the church and the HOA club. About five years ago she was presented the good neighbor award in North Platte. Three and a half years ago she and her husband purchased a home in Scottsbluff and moved there to be near their two eldest daughters.
Mrs. Sparks was loved by all who knew her and was a kind, loving and faithful wife and mother, and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She and her husband had celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on March 7, 1955. She was preceded in death by her husband, and son, Wallace, her father and mother, one brother, Henry Morse. Besides her seven children she leaves to mourn her passing one sister, Mrs. Lucy Burcham of Loveland, Cob., twelve grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services were held at the Adams Funeral Home in North Platte, June 24, 1956. The Rev. Luverne Hicks, pastor of the Methodist Church officiated. Interment was in the family lot in North Platte cemetery.
[Editor's Note: In the obituary of William Granvil Sparks his grandparents's names were given but no birth and death dates had been found at that time. We have since learned that Calvin Sparks (grandfather of William Granvil Sparks) was born December 3, 1823 and died at Hoag, Nebr., on July 3, 1903. Mahala Carmichael, wife of Calvin Sparks, was born April 7, 1824, and died March 5, 19l0.]
Page 185
Whole Number 16
DEATH TAKES ROBERT LAWRENCE SPARKS
Again we must report the death of a member of the Association. On June 5, 1956, a heart attack proved fatal to Robert Lawrence Sparks of Williamsburg, Kentucky. Mr. Sparks was 73 years of age when he died.
A native of Lawrence County, Kentucky, Robert Lawrence Sparks was born April 8, 1882, in the neighborhood of Peach Orchard on Nat's Creek. He was a son of George Graham and Elizabeth (Painter) Sparks; his grandparents were Hugh S. and Nancy (Curnutte) Sparks (see the December, 1955, issue of the Quarterly, page 102.)
Funeral services were conducted for Robert Lawrence Sparks on June 7, 1956, at the First Baptist Church in Williamsburg and burial was in the Highland Cemetery. Members of Williamsburg Lodge No. 490, F. & A. M. were in charge of services at the grave.
Mr. Sparks's widow, Susie (Higginbotham) Sparks, survives him as does his two sons, Earl Sparks of Corbin, Kentucky, and Robert Lawrence Sparks, Jr., of Lexington. Three brothers and four sisters survive: Lester Sparks of Chicago; George E. Sparks of Indianapolis; Earl Sparks of Cincinnati; Mrs. Cecil Crowell, Mrs. Ethel Bowden, and Mrs. Hazel Donaldson, all of Hurst, Illinois; and Miss Elizabeth Sparks of Cincinnati.
Page 192-194
Whole Number 17
Dr. Proctor Sparks
[NOTE: On this page appears a small photograph of Dr. Proctor Sparks]
Once more we must report the passing of one of the charter members of The Sparks Family Association. On January 16, 1957, death came unexpectedly to Dr. Proctor Sparks at his winter home in St. Petersburg, Florida. Members will recall that when the Association was formed in March, 1953, Dr. Sparks not only predicted that it would succeed, but that within two or three years there would be a membership of at least three hundred. In order to encourage the founders of the organization, Dr. Sparks announced that he would donate one hundred dollars to the Association when that coal was reached. Early in 1955 the three hundredth member loined and Dr. Sparks mailed his cheek to the Secretary-Treasurer. The founders will always remember Dr. Sparks for the encouragement which he gave at a time when they were uncertain that the Association could succeed.
Dr. Sparks, who was one of tho best-known physicians of Ashland, Kentucky, was sixty-sevcn years years old at the tine of his death. He was born June 7, 1890, at Martha, Kentucky. Dr. Sparks was a great-great-great-grandson of John Sparks (1753'1840/41) whose life was sketched in The Sparks Quarterly of December, 1955. His descent from John Sparks was through the fol1owing line: The eldest son of John and Sarah (Shores) Sparks was Levi Sparks, born October 2, 1778, in Surry County, N. C., died October 21, 1851, in Laurence County, Kentucky. Levi Sparks married twice and by his second wife, Sarah Lyon, was the father of Calvin Sparks, born November 9, 1806. Calvin Sparks also married a giirl named Sarah Lyon. Calvin and Sarah Sparks were the parents of Nelson Sparks, born June 1, 1845, died February 26, 1932. Nelson Sparks was married on December 15, 1863, to Sarrilda Holbrook, who was born March 4, 1849, and died December 18, 1920.Nelsen and Sarrilda Sparks were the parents of Meredith Benton Sparks, born November 24, 1866, died November 29, 1933. Meredith Benton Sparks was married on September 22, 1887, to Cyntha Alice Bailey, who was born March 21, 1869, and died February 25, 1952. They were the parents of Dr. Proctor Sparks.
Dr. Sparks was a graduate of the Louisville Medical School, having received his M.D. degree in 1917. He practiced for a while in Louisa, Kentucky, before moving to Ashland where he enjoyed a large practice until he retired about four years ago. In recent years he had been spending the winters in Florida and took a number of cruises on Delta Line boats as ship's doctor. He had just returned from a voyage to South America on board the S. S. del Norte when he died of a heart attack.
Dr. Sparks was a member of the Unity Baptist Church, a Mason, a Kentucky Colonel, a member of the Kentucky Medical Association and the American Medical Association, past-presidont of the Boyd County Medical Society, and past-chairman of the Board of the Salvation Army. He had also served as director of several local business institutions, and he was active in civic affairs.
On June 10, 1908, Dr. Sparks married Miss Mary Gambill who preceded him in death on December 15, 1951. He is survived by two daughters, Miss Joy Sparks of Ashland, Kentucky, and Irene (Mrs. Mike L.) Graney of Middleton, Ohio, and one grandson, Michael Proctor Graney.
The accompanying photograph is Dr. Sparks's passport picture and was taken only a few months before his death.
Page 463
Whole Number 29
DEATH TAKES HARRY CRAWFORD DOUGLAS
We regret to annouce the passing of the husband of one of our most faithful members, Mrs. Sara Sparks Lynch Douglas.
Harry Crawford Douglas was born October 26, 1881, the son of Joseph and Eliza (Shanks) Douglas, and died on December 7, 1959. He was a lifetime resident of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, and was a retired contract department manager for the United States Steel Corporation. Mr. Douglas was a member and retired ruling elder of the First Presbyterian Church of McKeesport. He was a member of Youghiogheny Lodge 583, F. & A.M.; McKeesport Commandery 86, Knights Templar; McKeesport Royal Arch Chapter 282; Syria Temple, Masonic Veteran's Association; Grand Holy Royal Arch of Pennsylvania; Golden Circle A.T.O. of Gettysburg College and the Volunteer Hospital Corps of Shadyside Hospital. He was a past commander of the Sons of Union Veterans and past commander of the Knights of Malta.
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas were the parents of three daughters: Mrs. Nedra Mayo and Mrs. Crete Alverson, both of McKeesport, and Mrs. Zoe Sample of Cleveland. There are three grandsons: Todd Douglas Sample, 19; Charles Lee Alverson, 18; and Mark Crawford Mayo, 14.
Mrs. Douglas is a great-granddaughter of 32.2 Benjamin Sparks who died in Elizabeth Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in 1801. 32.2 Benjamin Sparks was a brother of 32.3 Col. Richard Sparks who died July 2, 1815, at his residence at Bayou Pierre, Claiborne County, Mississippi. Another brother was 32.1 James Sparks, who died May 25, 1834, in Carr Township, Jackson County, Indiana, and whose application for a Revolutionary War pension was printed in the September, 1954, issue of the Quarterly (pp. 40-45). Another brother was 32.4 Walter Sparks who settled in Jefferson County, Kentucky, and died there ca. 1830. Still another brother was 32.5 Daniel Sparks, who died in Scott County, Indiana, sometime before 1820. These five brothers were all sons of 32. Richard Sparks, Sr., who was a. resident of Cranberry, Middlesex County, New Jersey, during the 1750's. by 1773, Richard Sparks, Sr., was a resident of Rosatraver Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania. (This area is now part of Elizabeth Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania). He was still living there when the 1790 census was taken, but probably died shortly thereafter. A large amount of material has been collected on this family by the editor, and a full history will be compiled eventually for publication in the Quarterly.
Page 465
Whole Number 29
DEATH TAKES CARRIE R. SPARKS
We regret to report the death of another member of the Association, Miss Carrie R. Sparks of Wheaton, Illinois. Miss Sparks was born July 13, 1869, and died at the Hazelhurst Nursing Home, West Chicago, Illinois, on November 9, 1959. She was a member of one of the pioneer families of Schuyler County, Illinois, and was a descendant of Josiah Sparks of Baltimore County, Maryland. (See the June, 1958, [Whole No. 22] issue of the Quarterly for a record of this family--Miss Sparks was mentioned on page 303.)
Miss Carrie R. Sparks was a graduate of the Illinois State Normal University at Normal, Illinois, where she prepared herself for teaching, a profession in which she later distinguished herself. She retired from teaching in 1921. Her membership was in the Gary Memorial Methodist Church of Theaton, Illinois.
Page 517
Whole Number 32
DEATH TAKES DR. D. H. SPARKS
It is with deep regret that we report the passing of another charter member of The Sparks Family Association. Dr. David Hoyt Sparks, who had practiced medicine in Birmingham, Alabama, for the past forty years, died in a Birmingham hospital on October 3, 1960. Surviving are his wife, Maxine Elliott McCarty Sparks; a daughter, Mrs. Margaret Sparks Gaines, of Atlanta; a granddaughter, Jacqueline Gaines, and a grandson, Horace James Gaines, Jr.; and a brother, O. H. Sparks, of Doyleston, PA.
Dr. Sparks was born May 31, 1886, at Spring Garden, Alabama. He was a graduate of Jacksonville State Normal College and studied medicine at the University of Virginia. He was graduated from Tulane University in 1912 and interned at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. Dr. Sparks served as a captain in World War I. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Ensley, Alabama, the Jefferson County Medical Society, and the Alabama State Medical Society. He was a Mason.
Dr. Sparks was a son of David Martin Sparks (1846-1928) and America Pauline Nelson Sparks (1848-1903). David Martin Sparks was born near Cave Springs, Georgia, and died at Cedartown, Georgia. He was the son of Harris Sparks and Mary Martin Boone Sparks. Harris Sparks was born June 2, 1815, in Fayette County, Georgia, and died in Cherokee County, Alabama, on June 7, 1854. The parentage of Harris Sparks has not been determined. Following are the names of the children of Harris and Mary Martin (Boone) Sparks:
(1) Sarah Daniel Sparks, born November 19, 1837.
(2) Missouri Eveline Sparks, born May 22, 1839.
(3) Banks Sparks, born December 19, 1840.
(4) Martha Ann E. Sparks, born August 31, 1842.
(5) Lucinda Catherine Sparks, born June 16, 1844.
(6) David Martin Sparks, born July 15, 1846.
(7) Harris Peolia Worth Sparks, born February 22, 1850.
(8) Mary Almedia F. D. Sparks, born November 27, 1852.
(9) William O. Butler Sparks, born June 4, 1848.
Page 598
Whole Number 36
DEATH TAKES MRS. ORAL A. SPARKS OF CLIO, IOWA
It is with deep regret that we report the passing of Alice Evelyn (Mace) Sparks, wife of Oral A. Sparks. (Mr. Sparks is the author of "Trials and Tribulations of the Early Day Motorist" that appeared in the September, 1960, issue of the Quarterly.) Mrs. Sparks, daughter of Albert and Annie Mace, was born near Allerton, Iowa, on March 18, 1889, and died on October 19, 1961. She and her husband were married on June 7, 1911, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on June 7, 1961. Mr. and Mrs. Sparks were the parents of the following children: Melva Sparks Bidlack of Ann Arbor, Michigan; J. Gerald Sparks of Great Falls, Montana; and the Rev, A. Harold Sparks of Waterloo, Iowa.
Page 637
Whole Number 37
DEATH TAKES BEN SPARKS
A recent letter from Mrs. Ben Sparks, Jr., tells of the passing of her husband's father, Ben Sparks, on July 23, 1961, in Brunswick, Georgia. Ben Sparks was born in Rushville, Indiana, on August 6, 1889, a son of John and Rebecca (Conner) Sparks. On August 23, 1913, he married Ethel Faye Lowe, daughter of Frank and Ella Lowe, who was born November 1, 1887. To this union were born two children, Ben Sparks, Jr., and John Frank Sparks. Mrs. Sparks survives her husband. Members of the Association will recall Ben Sparks's very interesting article entitled "Family Memories" that appeared in the December, 1956, issue of the Quarterly.
Page 638
Whole Number 37
DEATH TAKES DR. REUBEN DAVID SPARKS
Mr. W. C. Sparks, a charter member of The Sparks Family Association, has written of the death of his father, Dr. Reuben David Sparks, who passed away on August 28, 1960, at the age of eighty-nine.
Reuben David Sparks was born at the Forks of Blame in Lawrence Cou.nty, Kentucky, on June 3, 1871, a son of Reuben R. and Mary (Canute) Sparks. This branch of the Sparks family has produced many physicians, including two of Reuben's brothers, Dr. J. Cecil Sparks of Ashland, KY, and Dr. Walter Sparks of West Virginia. After graduating from the Louisville School of Medicine, Reuben D. Sparks came to Morgan County at the age of 23 and began practicing on Elkfort at the mouth of Williams Creek. Later he moved to West Liberty, also in Morgan County. In all, Dr. Sparks practiced medicine in Morgan County for sixty-four years. In 1958, he was presented a scroll of honor at a ceremony in the public square of West Liberty for his "long, kind, efficient and unselfish service to the people of Morgan and surrounding counties." At that time, Dr. Sparks stated that he had kept records of the babies he had delivered and that the number was 5,010. Among these were 280 sets of twins and 60 sets of triplets.
Dr. Sparks was a true "horse and buggy doctor." He often traveled by horseback into all parts of Morgan County and adjoining counties and, during epidemics, would sometimes stay in the saddle two or three days at a time. His fee in those days was two dollars for a trip up to ten miles, and fifty cents each for patients seen along the way. He remembered he once had eight typhoid patients in one family at the same time.
Dr. Sparks was married on February 16, 1898, to Florence (Hutchinson) Sparks; she died on January 15, 1948. Dr. Sparks is survived by two sons, Winfred C. Sparks of South Bend, Indiana, a district executive for the J. C. Penny Company, and Walter D. Sparks of Mountain Lake, New Jersey, a department head for the Bell Telephone division of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company. Dr. Sparks was buried in Salyers Cemetery at West Liberty, Kentucky.
Page 669
Whole Number 39
DEATH TAKES EDWARD BYRON SPARKS, SR.
We regret to announce the passing of another member of The Sparks Family Association. Mr. Edward byron Sparks, Sr., of Fort Smith, Arkansas, died on February 13, 1962. He was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church of Fort Smith. His survivors include his wife; one son, E. B. Sparks, Jr., and one granddaughter, Marilee Sparks.
Page 723
Whole Number 41
DEATH TAKES MARGARET SPARKS MILLER
It is with regret that we report the passing of Margaret Sparks Miller (Mrs. Henry J.) who died at her home in Oakland, California, on October 26, 1962, at the age of eighty-four years and eight months. Mrs. Miller was the last of the children of Joseph Spencer and Melissa C. (Eachus) Sparks, who moved from Kentucky to California in 1852. Joseph Spencer Sparks was a son of Madison and Winifred (Thomas) Sparks; Madison Sparks was a son of 21.1.5 Henry and Lucy (Clark) Sparks. (See the Quarterly of December, 1960.) Mrs. Miller was a generous supporter of The Sparks Family Association from the date of its formation. Shortly before her final illness, she sent a detailed record of the descendants of Madison Sparks which we regret could not be prepared for publication before her death.
DEATH TAKES WILLIAM BRADLEY SPARKS
We regret to report the death of William Bradley Sparks of Greenville, Kentucky, which occurred on September 21, 1962. Mr. Sparks had been a member of The Sparks Family Association almost from the date of its founding and was generous in his financial support. He was formerly engineer and superintendent of the Duncan Coal Company; at the tine of his death he was a director of the Kentucky Reclamation Association, composed of representatives of coal-mining companies, and was the labor relations representative of the West Kentucky Coal Producing Association. He was a graduate of the University of Kentucky and a member of Greenville First Presbyterian Church and Pond River Masonic Lodge No. 244, F&AM. Mr. Sparks was a son of Thomas Jefferson Sparks (born November 4, 1869, died October 27, 1946) and Monte (Oates) Sparks (born February 2, 1875, died October 29, 1951). They were married in February, 1894. William Bradley Sparks was sixty-six years of age at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Hazel (Williams) Sparks, a daughter, Miss Mary Alma Sparks of Louisville, and a sister, Mrs. Guy Dennis Martin, Sr., of Greenville.
Whole Number 45
DEATH TAKES MRS. AMANDA CAROLYN (SPARKS) LONG
We regret to report the death of Mrs. Amanda Carolyn (Sparks) Long in Wichita Falls, Texas, on March 1, 1964. Mrs. Long, who was born April 6, 1898, was a daughter of Robert Thomas and Ruth Isabel (Collins) Sparks. Her Sparks ancestry was mentioned in the Quarterly of March, 1963, page 718. [Note: Long is incorrect. Lange is correct. See the Quarterly for June, 1963, p. 824 for this correction.]
Whole Number 46
DEATH OF LEONARD JESSE SPARKS
We regret to report the death of Leonard Jesse Sparks of Fresno, California, father of one of our active members, Gerald J. Sparks. Leonard Jesse Sparks was born August 1, 1884, in St. Paul, Nebraska, where he lived for many years. Twenty-two years ago he moved to Southern California and for the past eleven years he has lived in Fresno. He died on May 26, 1964, and was buried in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Fresno. Surviving are his son, Gerald J. Sparks of Manhattan Beach, California; a sister, Mrs. Effie Sparks Madison of Anaheim, California; a brother, George Newton Sparks, of Lucerne Valley, California; and two grandchildren, Daniel Sparks and Cheryl Sparks.
Leonard Jesse Sparks was one of ten children of Jasper N. and Margaret Ellen (Gregory) Sparks, who 'were married on April 17, 1875. Jasper N. Sparks was born March 25, 1847, in Indiana; be was a son of Temple T. Sparks and Mary Ann (Rogers) Sparks who were married on March 26, 1843 in Franklin County, Indiana.
Whole Number 46
DEATH TAKES JERIMY N. SPARKS
We regret to report the passing of Jerimy N. Sparks of Lucerne Valley, California, who had been a member of the Sparks Family Association for many years.
Jerimy N. Sparks was born August 6, 1880, in Boone County, Iowa, and left this life on April 17, 1964, at the age of 83. He is survived by his wife, Nina L. Sparks, his sister, Mrs. Dorothea James, a daughter, Mrs. Florence Steffen, and two grandsons, Richard and Loren Steffen.
During World War I, Jerimy N. Sparks served in France with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces. After the war, he attended the Garrett Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, to study for the ministry. For several years be was pastor of three rural churches in Kansas at the same time. In 1915 he drove with his family from Kansas to Los Angeles. Here he helped to establish the First Methodist Church where he was a member for many years. In October 1939 he and his wife, Nina, moved to Lucerne Valley, California., and lived in a tent while building their own home. Shortly after that, they, along with Mr. & Mrs. Miller and Mr. Conrad established, the United Church of Lucerne Valley, presently known as the Calvary Bible Church. At one time this church held their services in the Sparks home for a two-year period. In the construction of the church buildings, Mr. Sparks donated many hours of labor and did more of the work than any one individual.
Mr. Sparks always had a great interest in missionary work throughout the world. In 1914 ho helped establish a school for boys in Hyd.rabad, India, which today has some 3500 students. He has always encouraged the ministry of world-wide missions and in the last few years he and his wife have supported a Korean orphan under the World Vision Orphanages. His home throughout the years in Lucerne Valley was always open to missionaries and many church fellowship potlucks, parties and meetings were held there.
Funeral services for Mr. Sparks were held on April 20 at the Calvary Bible Church, the Rev. Russell L. Sloan officiating. The Rev. Bob Allen, missionary under the Sudan Interior Mission and friend of the family for many years led in prayer.
Shortly before her husband's death, Mrs. Sparks submitted records of his branch of the Sparks family. Your editor regrets that it is not possible to publish this article in the Quarterly prior to Mr. Sparks's death. It will appear in the near future.
Whole Number 47
DEATH TAKES MAJOR CHARLES H. SMITH
It is with deep regret that we report the death of Major Charles H. Smith, a charter member of The Sparks Family Association. We believe that Mr. Smith was our oldest member at the time of his passing, and he was certainly one of our most earnest supporters. A tribute was paid to Major Smith in the March, 1962, issue of the Quarterly, on the occasion of his 90th birthday. Many of our members sent him greetings on that occasion, which pleased him greatly. It was one of his sorest regrets that he was never able to answer each one of these letters and cards individually. Major Smith's health began to fail shortly after this, and he gradually lost his eyesight. The last two years were years of tragedy. He was forced to spend most of his time in the hospital, his only daughter's husband was killed in an automobile accident, and on February 4, 1964, his wife died.
Charles H. Smith was born in Athens, Georgia, on June 15, 1872, and died on August 11, 1964, in the Oakland Veterans Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His parents were Hines Maguire and Sarah Jane (Sparks) Smith. (See the Quarterly of March, 1958, Vol. VI, No. 1, Whole No. 21, for a record of his branch of the Sparks family.)
Mr. Smith was an electrical engineer for the Westinghouse Electric Corporation from 1894 until his retirement in 1938, and was three times elected president of the Wilkinsburg branch of the Westinghouse Club. He served as a major in the United States Army during the Spanish-American War and worked for the Hercules Power Company in Ravenna, Ohio, during World War II.
Mr. Smith is survived by his son, Charles, and his daughter, Mrs. Sally S. Miller, both of California, and by a sister, Mrs. Sara K. Henshall of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Burial was in Myrtle Hill Cemetery, Rome, Georgia.
DEATH TAKES THOMAS JOSHUA SPARKS
We regret to report the death of Thomas Joshua Sparks, whose home was in Pryor, Oklahoma. Mr. Sparks was the father of Chaplain John W. Sparks, whose portrait appeared on the cover of the June, 1964, issue of the Quarterly. Mr. Sparks was a son of John English and Mary Jane (Grogan) Sparks and was born March 21, 1877, at Boxley, Arkansas; he died on November 22, 1964. Mr. Sparks's widow, Sarah Louisa (Mashburn) Sparks survives him.
DEATH TAKES AMANDA ELIZABETH SPARKS
We regret to report that Mrs. Amanda Elizabeth (Grogan) Sparks, widow of Thomas Jackson Sparks, passed away on February 13, 1965, at Chanute, Kansas. She was 83 years old, having been born on March 30, 1881, at Hartville, Missouri. Her parents were Ambros Marion and Caroline (Owens) Grogan. She married Thomas J. Sparks (his second wife) on August 14, 1898; he preceded her in death on February 1, 1937. Mrs. Sparks leaves one daughter, Ruth Sparks Caudle; her only son, John Sparks, of Orient, Iowa, died on October 1, 1964.
Whole Number 51
DEATH TAKES CLIFTON SPARKS
It is with deep regret that we report the passing of Clifton Sparks of Delano, California. Mr. Sparks had been a loyal member of The Sparks Family Association since 1956. He was born February 2, 1901, and died on September 9, 1965. He was a greatgrandson of Thomas and Mary (Howe) Sparks of York, Pennsylvania.
DEATH TAKES MRS. FRANCES MARIAN SPARKS
It is with deep regret that we report the death of Mrs. Frances Marian Sparks who was one of the charter members of The Sparks Family Association. Mrs. Sparks was born in Waterloo, Wisconsin, on September 21, 1877, and passed away in Santa Ana, California, on June 21, 1965. Mrs. Sparks's husband was a descendant of Solomon and Catherine (Hillegas) Sparks of Washington County, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Sparks was a most kind and thoughtful person and never failed to include a personal note of appreciation when she renewed her membership dues each year. She leaves one son, Spurgeon Sparks, and one daughter, Mrs. Robert Livingston.
Page 3650
Whole Number 51
DEATH TAKES THELMA (SPARKS) PRYOR
We have received notice that Thelma (Sparks) Pryor died on December 13, 1989, at her home in Maysville, Oklahoma. She had been a member of the Association since 1985. She is survived by her step-mother, Doris Sparks; a sister, Jeanne Phillips; and three brothers: Richard, Gerald, and Clifford Sparks, to whom we extend our sympathy.
Thelma Laverne Sparks was born March 24, 1912, in Sioux City, Iowa, and she was a daughter of Louis P. and Edna Laverne (Goiten) Sparks. She was a descendant of Thomas and Esther Ann (Dunn) Sparks, early settlers in Boone County, Iowa. (See the December 1964 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 48, for further details of this branch of the Sparks family.)
DEATH TAKES JOHN W. FULTON
We regret to report the death of John W. Fulton on November 12, 1989, at his home in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. He was an interested member of the Association, and we shall miss his support. He is survived by his daughters, Anne 0. Magal and Hester Jane Whitchey. His wife, Anne (Healy) Fulton, died in August 1988.
John William Fulton was born October 6, 1909, in Monroe County, Iowa, a son of Charles B. and Grace R. (Miller) Fulton. His maternal grandparents were William T. and Hester Jane (Sparks) Miller. Hester Jane Sparks was a daughter of Jesse S. and Sarah Ann (Logan) Sparks who were married on October 7, 1861, in Lewis County, Kentucky. Jesse S. Sparks was a son of Caleb and Rebecca (Wilson) Sparks of Lewis County, Kentucky. (See the September 1970 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 71, for further details about this family. At the time that issue of the Quarterly was published, we had no proof that Caleb and Rebecca Sparks had a son, Jesse S. Sparks, born in 1825; however, we did know that they had an unidentified son, born between 1820 and 1825. See page 1342 of the above cited Quarterly.)
We extend our deepest sympathy to the daughters of John W. Fulton.
Page 1079
Whole Number 58
DEATH TAKES ROBERT ORSON GIBSON (1880-1967)
We regret to report the passing of another of our faithful members. Robert O. Gibson, whose portrait appears on the cover of this issue of the Quarterly, had been a generous supporter of the Association almost from its formation and exchanged many letters with the editor regarding his great-grandfather, Josiah Sparks of Union County, South Carolina. One of Nevada's leading and honored citizens, Mr. Gibson died at his home on June 29, 1967. He was eighty-six. He was a son of Moses Washington Gibson and Lydia Ann Badger, and a grandson of George Washington Gibson and Mary Ann Sparks (who was a daughter of Josiah Sparks of Union County, South Carolina.)
In December, 1965, Robert O. Gibson was honored on his 85th birthday by the Las Vegas, Nevada, Junior High School which bears his name.
He was born December 19, 1880, in Duncan, Utah. He was graduated from the Brigham Young Academy (now a University) in 1900. He served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Mr. Gibson was a Bishop of the St. Thomas Ward of the LDS Church for twenty-five years, and also served as member and as president of the school board in two southern Nevada communities for more than twenty-five years.
He was elected to the 1919 Nevada Legislature where he was instrumental in consolidating several small school districts in southern Nevada. He also spent several years as member and as chairman of local Red Cross chapters, and as a councilman for the district for the Boy Scouts of America,
In addition to being a Bishop for his Church, he also served in the Stake Presidency of Moapa Stake, and for twenty years served his church as a patriarch.
He married Edith Alice Hinton, who preceded him in death by three years. They were the parents of eight children, seven of whom survive:
Inez G. Waymire of Overton, Nevada;
Catherine G. Later of Pico Rivera, California;
K. Owen Gibson of Boulder City, Nevada;
Floyd H. Gibson of Terrance, California;
Mary G. Atchley of Las Vegas, Nevada;
M. Carl Gibson of Provo, Utah; and
Josephine G. Downey of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Mr. Gibson is also survived by thirty grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
DEATH TAKES MRS. DEWEY SPARKS GRAHAM (1899-1967)
We regret to report the passing of Mrs. Dewey Sparks Graham, aged sixty-seven, of Akron, Ohio, formerly of Lawrence County, Kentucky. Mrs. Graham died on March 28, 1967. She was the aunt of Dr. Paul S. Sparks, President of The Sparks Family Association.
Funeral services were conducted in Graham, Kentucky, and burial was in the Sparks Cemetery on Morgans Creek in Lawrence County.
Mrs. Graham was born August 28, 1899, and was a daughter of the late Cobe and Martha (Chaffin) Sparks. Survivors include the husband, Frank Graham of Akron; a daughter, Mrs. George Thomas of Akron; two sisters, Miss Roaa Sparks and Mrs. Flora Williams of Louisa; and three grandchildren.
Page 1080
DEATH TAKES SHERIDAN D. CAVITT
We regret to report the passing of another of our faithful members, Mr. Sherican D. Cavitt, aged seventy-two, of Waco, Texas. He was a descendant of Richard Sparks who died in Nacogdoches County, Texas, in 1838.
Mr. Cavitt was born in Holland, Texas, where he was in the merchantile business for many years. He served at one time as mayor of Holland before moving to Waco, Texas. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Waco; a Master Mason, Scottish Rite Mason, and a member of Karem Temple in Waco. He is survived by his wife, Ellen B. Cavitt, a son, S. D. Cavitt, Jr., of Georgetown, Texas; and two brothers, J. Frank Cavitt of San Angelo and J. Carter Cavitt of Great Falls, Montana. A son, Franklin C. Cavitt, died in 1936. Four grandchildren also mourn his passing.
Page 1125
Whole Number 61
DEATH TAKES FIELDER L. SPARKS
Roy Sparks of 622 Sylvan St., Emporia, Kansas, has informed us of the death of his cousin, Fielder L. Sparks of Clyde, Kansas, and formerly of Emporia. Fielder had been a faithful member of the Association for many years. He was born in 1908 in Butler, Missouri, the son of the late John and Lily Sparks. He was reared on a farm east of Emporia and attended the Kansas State Teachers College of Emporia. Following his graduation, he spent his life in the educational field, first as a teacher and later as a school superintendent. He was Superintendent of Schools in Onaga, Kansas, before taking the position of Superintendent of Schools in Clyde, Kansas.
Fielder L. Sparks was preceded in death by his wife and his father. Among the survivors are one son, J. D. Sparks of Clyde, his mother of Perry, Kansas, and a sister, Mrs. Merrill Greenlee of Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was buried beside his wife in Delavan, Kansas.
Page 1134
Whole Number 61
OBITUARY OF 1.2.5.6.3.1 CORNELIUS SPARKS (1789-1862)
While doing research in the School of Theology Library of Butler University, Amanda Fisher (Mrs. Carl J.) came across the following obituary of Cornelius Sparks (1789-1862) last summer. As was her custom, Mrs. Fisher took time to copy this obituary for us, even though she was in no way connected with the family of Cornelius Sparks. (Mrs. Fisher died suddenly just before Christmas, 1967- - we shall certainly miss her friendly letters and her frequent contributions of genealogical materials.)
Mrs. Fisher found this obituary in a volume called The Christian Record for 1861-62. Mrs. Fisher noted that 'it is beautifully witten in a style we never read today.'
A biographical sketch of 1.2.5.6.3.1 Cornelius Sparks was published in the Quarterly for March 1964, Whole No. 45, pp. 803-804. The oldest son of 1.2.5.6.3 David and Mary (Little) Sparks of Rowan County, North Carolina, Cornelius Sparks married Susannah Stephens in 1812. They moved to Wayne County, Indiana, by ox team in 1814. In 1828, the family moved to Berrien County, Michigan, where Cornelius died in 1862. They were the parents of the following children:
1.2.5.6.3.1.1 Joseph Sparks, born January 24, 1814.
1.2.5.6.3.1.2 Spencer Sparks, born December 9, 1815.
1.2.5.6.3.1.3 David Sparks, born August 14, 1817.
1.2.5.6.3.1.4 Mary Sparks, born July 7, 1819.
1.2.5.6.3.1.5 Elizabeth Sparks, born July 26, 1821.
1.2.5.6.3.1.6 Levi Sparks, born October 3, 1823.
1.2.5.6.3.1.7 Anna Sparks, born September 30, 1825.
1.2.5.6.3.1.8 Ira Sparks, born October 31, 1827.
1.2.5.6.3.1.9 Wilson Sparks, born April 19, 1830.
1.2.5.6.3.1.10 Susan Sparks, born August 1, 1832.
1.2.5.6.3.1.11 Cynthia Sparks, born August 27, 1834.
'Died at the residence of his son, Levi, August 17, 1862, Bro. Cornelius Sparks, age 73 years. When over fifty years of age, under the labors of Elder John Martindale, Bro. Sparks embraced the Christian faith, and for twenty years he was a faithful servant of our adorable Redeemer. He met death with composure, and closed his eyes upon the scenes of earth with a well grounded hope of a blissful immortality beyond the grave. His body rests in the narrow house appointed for all the living, but his spirit in the bosom of God. Bro. Sparks left nine children and a large circle of friends to mourn his loss.
'We confidently expect to meet and greet our departed brother in the fair climes of immortal day, where the smart of separation shall be felt and feared no more forever.' (Written by William N. Roe, Buchanan, Michigan, August 26, 1862.)
Whole Number 66
DEATH TAKES NANCY JANE SPARKS SCAGGS
We learned recently that on June 5, 1968, death claimed another member of The Sparks Family Association, Mrs. Nancy Jane Sparks Scaggs. Mrs. Scaggs was a daughter of Levi Hansford and Nancy (Lawson) Sparks and was born in Elliott County, Kentucky, on March 9, 1878. She was united in marriage to William Scaggs on May 20, 1897. To this union were born: Eva, Estill, Cecil, Joseph, Alma Lee, Nellie, Earnest, and Charlie. Mrs. Scaggs's paternal grandparents were George and Nancy (Short) Sparks. (See the December 1956 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 12, page 102.)
Page 1255
Whole Number 67
DEATH TAKES MRS. ELLA SPARKS NORRIS
The Sparks Family Association lost another charter member on July 6, 1969, with the death of Mrs. Ella Sparks Norris, of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Mrs. Norris was a daughter of the late John Willis and Anna Margaret (Meier) Sparks. She was a granddaughter of George Graham and Elizabeth (Painter) Sparks, and a great-granddaughter of Hugh S. and Nancy (Carnutte) Sparks. (See page 102 of the Quarterly.)
Mrs. Norris was born in Whitley County, Kentucky, on March 25, 1910. She was graduated from Berea College Hospital School of Nursing in 1931 and worked as a registered nurse all of her professional life. At her death, she was a supervisor at Charity Hospital at Lake Charles.
Page 1354
Whole Number 72
DEATH TAKES IDA HOLBROOK JONES
Again it becomes the painful duty of the editor to report the death of a charter member of The Sparks Family Association. Mrs. Ida Holbrook Jones died on October 12, 1970. If she had lived until November 24, she would have been 90 years old.
Ida Holbrook was born November 24, 1880, at Traphill, North Carolina, daughter of John Preston Holbrook (1847-1935) and Nancy E. (Bryan) Holbrook. John Preston was a son of William Holbrook (1815-1891) who married Sarah Sparks (1817-1902), oldest daughter of John Sparks, Jr. and Mary (Fields) Sparks. John Sparks, Jr. (c1794-c1865) was a son of John Sparks, Sr. (1753-1840) and Sarah (Shores) Sparks, of Wilkes County, North Carolina. (See pages 93-104 of the Quarterly for December 1955, Whole No. 12) John Sparks, Sr. was thus a great-great-grandfather of Ida Holbrook.
Ida Holbrook married Wiley Reid Jones on August 17, 1910. He preceded her in death on January 13, 1964. They had no children.
Cousin Ida possessed a great knowledge of her Sparkses and through her extensive notes we have been able to tie together many family strands which otherwise would have remained as conjecture. The Association will miss her greatly and we mourn her passing from our midst.
Page 1419
Whole Number 75
DEATH TAKES GUY SHERMAN SPARKS
We deeply regret to report the passing of Guy Sherman Sparks of Muncie, Indiana, on September 26, 1971, following a long illness. Mr., Sparks had been a member of The Sparks Family Association for many years, His parents were John Sherman Sparks (1863-1917) and Mary (Loveless) Sparks (1860-1951); his grandparents were Allen and Nancy (Rogers) Sparks; his great-grandparents were James and Margaret (Ray) Sparks; and his great-great-grandparents were William and Martha (Moore) Sparks. Mr. Sparks was born in Flora, Indiana, on July 22, 1897. He was graduated from Indiana University in 1922, He was a freshman in college when his father died and he worked his way through school by working in the Indiana University bookstore and by managing the bookstore at Ball State University in Muncie during the summers.
Mr. Sparks was associated with Marshall Field and Company for 16 years before coming to Muncie in 1938 to become personnel manager for Moore Co. and Hager Manufacturing Co. for the next 18 years. He spent 11 years with the Indiana Employment Security Division as assistant manager. He was a member and past president of the Foremans Club, Eastern Indiana Personnel and Industrial Relations Association and the Exchange Club, He also served as president of the Visiting Nurse Association Board for three years and served seven years as a board member, He was a 50-year member of the Flora Masonic lodge 605, F&AM.
Mr. Sparks is survived by his wife, Gertrude (Dietz) Sparks and by one daughter, Sara Jean Sparks Balch of Indianapolis, wife of Charles Guthrie Balch. Their children are Susan Marie Balch, 11 years of age, and Sandra Ann Balch, who is 8 years old.
DEATH TAKES WILLIAM MILTON SPARKS
We deeply regret to report the passing of William Milton Sparks, aged 76, who died at his residence in Nazie, Kentucky, on July 18, 1971, born January 28, 1895, William Milton Sparks was a son of the late Solomon and Nancy (Hay) Sparks. His brothers and sisters were:
(1) Ulyssis Sparks, married Mary Roseberry;
(2) Virgil Sparks, married Elizabeth Emma Kelly;
(3) George Washington Sparks (1909-1966), married Regina Ann Kelley;
(4) Noah Sparks, married Viola Fannin;
(5) James Sparks, married Martha MNU,
(6) Emory Sparks, married Jane Fannin;
(7) Mary Amanda (Mandy) Sparks, married Alfred Skaggs; and
(8) John Mart Sparks, married Della Fyffe.
[Note: Darrell J. Pest of Albuquerque, New Mexico, believes that Solomon and Nancy Ann (Hay) Sparks also had a daughter named Rebecca.]s
[Note: According to Mr. Pest 's records, this Solomon Sparks was born in 1866 and died in 1909; his wife, Nancy Ann Hay, was born in 1869 and died in 1947. He believes that Solomon was born in Carter County, Kentucky, probably in an area that is now Elliot County. His father was also named Solomon Sparks. The elder Solomon was born in 1820 and died in 1873; his second wife (Solomon Jr, 's mother) was Helen Birchfield. Mr. Pest states that "Solomon Sparks, Sr., a Civil War soldier, was born in Virginia, probably Lee County. Solomon's father, Jesse Sparks, was probably the Jesse shown on the Lee County, Va., census of 1820 and the Jesse Sparks who appeared on the 1830, 1840, 1850, and 1860 censuses of Lawrence and Carter Counties, KY. His age in 1850 was given as 53, born in North Carolina; in 1860 his age was given as 62, born in Virginia. His wife 's name was Nancy; on the 1850 census her age was given as 49, born in North Carolina; on the 1860 census her age appears as 57 and her place of birth as Virginia. Jesse Sparks was granted land in Lawrence and Carter Counties, Kentucky, in 1830, 1832, 1834, 1836, and 1840." ]
William Milton Sparks married Bertha Barber, born September 3, 1899, who survives him, along with three sons and six daughters:
Noah Sparks of Lucasville, Ohio;
Everett Sparks of Mazie, KY;
Conrad Sparks of Mazie, KY..;
Mrs. Nancy Sparks of Sandy Hook;
Mrs. Magdeline Sparks Stephens of Blame;
Mrs. Erma Sparks Skaggs of Mazie;
Mrs. Imogene Sparks Collier of Hillard, Ohio;
Mrs. Evelyn Sparks Ferguson of Isonville; and
Mrs. Elaine Sparks of Martha, KY.
He also left 36 grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren.
[Scanner's Note: See Whole No. 78, pp. 1487-88, for corrections to the above article which have been made and for additional information on the above Solomon Sparks.]
DEATH TAKES MRS. LOTTA ETHEL (SPARKS) GIBBONS
Mrs., Gladys Gibbons Robinson has reported the passing of her mother, Mrs. Lotta Ethel (Sparks) Gibbons, on July 14, 1971. Mrs. Gibbons had been a member of the Sparks family Association for many years. She was born November 2, 1886, in Denton, Texas, and was 84 years old at the time of her death.
Whole Number 52
DEATH TAKES THOMAS ELIHUGH SPARKS
We regret to report the passing of Thomas Elihugh Sparks, who was born October 16, 1893, and died on August 12, 1965. He was 71 years, 9 months, and 26 days old. Funeral services were held on August 14 at Rhodes Chapel, Runge, Texas, and interment was in Runge Cemetery. The Rev. James Dawson, Pastor of the First Baptist Church, officiated. Left to mourn his passing was Mr. Sparks's wife, Elaine Waters Sparks; one son, Major Gerald H. Sparks (retired); and four daughters, Mrs. Rose Riggs, Mrs. Norma Deal, Mrs. Ena Lay, and Mrs. Joyce Wright.
Page 969
Whole Number 53
DEATH TAKES LOIS W. WEST
Many members of The Sparks Family Association will be saddened to learn of the passing of Lois W. West (Mrs. H. H. West) of 640 West Main Street, Gallatin, Tennessee. For a number of years, Mrs. West painted the Sparks coat-of-arms for members of the Association. She was a gifted artist and every member who owns one of Mrs. West's paintings is proud of its beauty.
Mrs. West died suddenly at her home on January 7, 1966, the victim of a heart attack. She was born November 9, 1902, in Only, Tennessee, the daughter of Andrew and Margarette (Pinkerton) Weatherspoon. Both of her parents descended from 1.2.1.2.2.2 Matthew and Sarah Sparks (see the Quarterly of June, 1961, Whole No. 34, pp. 556-66) through their son Jesse Sparks, who came to Hickman County, Tennessee, ca. 1810. She was married on October 24, 1924, to Hoke Holland West, son of Ira Stokes and Maggie E. O. (Mundy) West of Smith County, Tennessee. Funeral services for Mrs. West were held in the First Baptist Church, Gallatin, Tennessee, by her pastor, the Rev. James P. Craine, in the presence of a large crowd of friends and relatives on January 9. Interment was made on January 10 in the Charles Nickell Memorial Park, Centerville, Tennessee.
Page 977
Whole Number 53
DEATH TAKES RUFUS NEWTON SPARKS
It is with deep regret that we report the death in November, 1965, of Rufus Newton Sparks, of Martha, Kentucky. Mr. Sparks died at the age of 88 years following a long illness. Funeral services were held in the Elizabeth Baptist Church at Martha with the Rev. Herbert Phillips and the Rev. Emerson Collier officiating. Burial was in the Sparks Cemetery there.
A retired merchant and farmer at Martha, Rufus Newton Sparks had been born there on February 24, 1877, a son of George W. and Linnie (Grizzell) Sparks. He was a descendant of John Sparks (born 1753) of Wilkes County, North Carolina. (See the Quarterly of December, 1955, Whole No. 13, pp. 91-105.) The Bible record of the family his his grandfather, Wiley Sparks, appeared in the Quarterly of September, 1957, Whole No. 19, p. 214.
Mr. Sparks is survived by his widow, Mrs. Anna Furguson Sparks; three sons, O. G. Sparks of Louisville, Kentucky; Dr. Aubrey L. Sparks, of Warren, Ohio; and Douglas C. Sparks, of Martha; seven grandchildren, and two sisters, Mrs. Cynthia Lyon of Muncie, Indiana, and Mrs. Pearlie Bailey of Ashland, Kentucky.
Page 985
Whole Number 54
DEATH TAKES COLBY SPARKS OF GATES, KENTUCKY
We regret to report that the Rev. Colby Sparks, a Baptist preacher who was born in Elliott County, Kentucky, died at the age of 89 on August 15, 1965. A son of Levi H. and Nancy (Lawson) Sparks, Colby Sparks was born February 23, 1876. His father, Levi H. Sparks, had been born on May 31, 1834, and had died on May 20, 1911. (For a record of the Sparks ancestry of Colby Sparks, see the Quarterly of December, 1955, Whole No. 12, pp. 97-102.)
Colby Sparks was married twice, first, on September 26, 1898, to Nancy Belle Braum, and, second, on July 1, 1905, to Julia Mauk who survives him. In addition to his wife, Colby Sparks left four sons and five daughters to mourn his passing. William Sparks of Wheelersburg, Ohio; Levi Sparks and Andrew Sparks of Olive Hill, Kentucky, Ivan Sparks, of Warner Robins, Georgia; Mrs. Lola Power of Morehead, Kentucky; Mrs. Opal Gregory of El Paso, Texas; Mrs. Bonnie Oney, of Hammond, Indiana; Mrs. Eva Oney, of Soldier, Kentucky; and Mrs. Susan Sturgill, of Heath, Ohio. He also left 27 grandchildren and 56 great-grandchildren. Nancy Jane (Sparks) Skaggs, sister of Colby Sparks, died this summer.
Page 1016
Whole Number 55
DEATH TAKES RUTH M. SPARKS
Captain Ellsworth F. Sparks, a retired officer in the United States Navy, has reported the passing of his wife, Ruth M. Sparks. Mrs. Sparks died on May 29 and was buried at Fort Roseorans National Cemetery on June 1, 1966. We extend our deep sympathy to Captain Sparks.
Page 1035
Whole Number 56
DEATH TAKES ADRIAN LELAND SPARKS & HERBERT S. SPARKS
Mrs. Ted Borurn of Earth, Texas, a member of the Association since 1965, has written of the passing of her father, 17.2.1.2.2.6.2 Adrian Leland Sparks, and also of the death of her uncle, 17.2.1.2.2.6.7 Herbert Sanford Sparks. These two brothers were sons of 17.2.1.2.2.6 Matthew Patton Sparks. An article on this family by Robert R. Robinson, Jr., appeared in the Quarterly of March 1965, Whole No. 49, pp. 879-885.
17.2.1.2.2.6.2 Adrian Leland Sparks was born in Henderson, Texas, on September 19, 1880, and died on June 16, 1966. He was living at Floydada, Texas, at the time of his death and was buried in the Floydada Cemetery. His wife, Bessie (Merrill) Sparks, preceded him in death on November 11, 1964.
17.2.1.2.2.6.7 Herbert Sanford Sparks was born December 15, 1891, and died on August 24, 1966. He was living in Phoenix, Arizona, at the time of his death. He was buried in the Greenwood Memorial Park in Phoenix. (Data on his family were published on page 885 of the Quarterly.)
Page 1039
Whole Number 56
DEATH TAKES FATHER OF MRS. NELLIEMAE BURNS SPARKS
We regret to report the passing of Peter Paul Burns, father of Mrs. Nelliemae Burns Sparks, a member of the Association for many years. Mr. Burns was born on June 10, 1907, in Prairieburg, Iowa, and died on September 20, 1966, at his home in Reno, Nevada. He was the son of William and Carrie May (Zimmer) Burns, who were married in Anamosa, Iowa, on July 31, 1881. Peter Paul Burns married Hazel Alvera Thrope on May 28, 1927, in Scranton, North Dakota. Mrs. Burns survives her husband. Their only child, Nelliemae, married James Douglas Sparks on September 24, 1949, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Mrs. Sparks was born August 13, 1928, in Mobridge, South Dakota; Mr. Sparks was born November 23, 1929, In Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Page 1039
Whole Number 56
DEATH TAKES MOTHER OF JOHN SPARKS
Mr. John Sparks of Mount Airy, Boyce, Virginia, one of our most faithful members, has written of the passing of his mother on September 17, 1966. She had been born on April 17, 1881, and had lived a full and contented life. John's father, Clarence Sidney Sparks, died in Alpine, Texas, on December 31, 1919.
Page 1053
Whole Number 57
DEATH TAKES SENATOR EDWARD MARTIN
On March 19, 1967, death claimed one of the most generous supporters of The Sparks Family Association, former United States Senator Edward Martin of Pennsylvania. Senator Martin's interest in the Sparks family stemmed from the fact that his wife, Charity, descends from Colonel Richard Sparks (born ca. 1757, died 1815). Mrs. Martin has been an invalid for many years, and it was always the Senator who sent her membership dues each year. He also contributed an extensive file of material on Colonel Richard Sparks.
Senator Martin was eighty-seven years old at the time of his death, but he still possessed the military bearing of a man who had participated in every United States war from the Spanish-American, for which he quit college at eighteen to enlist as a private, through World War II. Rising through the ranks, he was made a major general and commander of the Pennsylvania National Guard in 1941.
In 1943, Martin was elected governor of Pennsylvania and served that office until 1947. He was the favorite son presidential candidate of the Pennsylvania delegation at the 1948 Republican National Convention. He supported Governor Thomas Dewey at that Convention and delivered Dewey's nomination address.
From 1947 until 1959, Edward Martin served in the United States Senate. At the time of his retirement he was the ranking Republican member of the Finance Committee. He constantly urged reduced spending, a balanced budget, and lower taxes.
Following his retirement, Senator Martin secluded himself from public life and devoted most of his time to the presidency of the Dunn-March Gas and Oil Company. His home was in Washington, Pennsylvania.
Senator Martin is survived by his wife, Charity; one daughter, Mary Murphy of Washington; and one son, Edward Martin, Jr., of Wanesburg, Pennsylvania.
Whole Number 65
DEATH TAKES FORMER GOVERNOR CHAUNCEY SPARKS OF ALABAMA
Death claimed one of the most prominent members of the Association on November 6, 1968. Former Governor Chauncey Sparks died on that date at the age of 84 at his home in Eufaula, Alabama. Governor Sparks had been a member of the Association almost from the date of its founding in 1953 and had been one of our most loyal supporters. His portrait appeared on the cover of the June 1954 issue of the Quarterly (Whole No. 6), and was followed by a biographical sketch.
Governor Sparks was born October 8, 1884, on a farm fourteen miles west of Eufaula. His grandfather, Samuel Sparks, migrated from Musoogee County, Georgia, to Barbour County, Alabama, in the early 1850"s. His father, George W. Sparks, married Sarah E. Castellow. Chauncey was one of their four children.
Chauncey Sparks was Alabama"s chief executive from 1943 to 1947. A bachelor, he was credited with giving Governor Wallace his political start. The former governor was a candidate to the Democratic National Convention in 1948, but declined to walk out like many other Dixie representatives did. He subsequently ran for governor again in 1950, but made the political misjudgement of boasting during the campaign of being a loyal Democrat. He retired from public life after his defeat in 1950 and spent most of his remaining years in Barbour County.
Page 1220
Whole Number 65
DEATH TAKES MRS. ARMINDA J. FISHER
Through an unfortunate oversight, we failed to inform members of the Association of the passing of one of our most faithful and helpful members. Mrs. Arminda J. Fisher died on December 22, 1967.
Mrs. Fisher was a descendant of Zachariah Sparks (died ca. 1781) of South Carolina through his son William Sparks (1772-1862) who migrated to Indiana in 1812. She was born in Wabash County, Indiana, in 1906 and was a graduate of of Madame Blakeslee"s School in Indianapolis. She married Carl J. Fisher and from 1947 until 1955, when be served as Auditor for Delaware County, she served as Deputy Auditor. At an earlier date she had taught school.
Mrs. Fisher was a member of the High Street Methodist Church, Harrington Bible Class, Order of Eastern Star at La Fountaine, and the Paul Revere Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, of which she was past regent and past registrar. At the time of her death, she was serving as a member of the State DAR Lineage Research Committee and also as secretary of the state organization of Children of the American Revolution. She was well-known as a genealogist for many years. Mrs. Fisher was also a member of Weetomp Chapter of the Daughters of American Colonists.
Mrs. Fisher"s husband survives her, as do also three daughters, Mrs. Floyd (Naomi) Campbell, Mrs. Robert (Carolyn) Halteman, Mrs. Jack (Janelle) Reber; two sons, Carl Fisher of Michigan City and Lowell Fisher of Vallejo, California. A sister, Mrs. Susanna Brane, also survives as does her mother, Mrs. Frank Ridenour of Carmi, Illinois. Burial took place in the Mount Etna Cemetery, south of Huntington, Indiana.
DEATH TAKES DOROTHY S. FOSTER
It is with deep regret that we report the passing of another faithful and generous member of the Association. 91.5.4.9.1 Dorothy Sparks Foster died on September 4, 1968. Mrs. Foster was born December 31, 1900, in Rushville, Indiana, the daughter of Judge 91.5.4.9 William Morris Sparks and Della (Young) Sparks. Her husband was Horace Foster, son of Horace S. and Cora (Rowley) Foster; he was born July 2, 1897. They were married on August 16, 1924, and had two sons,
91.5.4.9.1.1 James Sparks Foster, born March 12, 1927, and
91.5.4.9.1.2 Robert Rowley Foster, born May 16, 1928.
Mrs. Foster was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and Symposium. She was graduated from Rushville High School and from Indiana University, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. For many years she served with the American Red Cross as executive secretary in Rush and Delaware Counties and for 15 years was a volunteer field consultant in the Eastern area.
Mrs. Foster"s great-grandfather was 91.5 Jerome Bonaparte Sparks, who was born on February 22, 1809, and died on November 6, 1873, in Jessamine County, Kentucky. Mrs. Foster never succeeded in learning the name of the father of Jerome Bonaparte Sparks, but his mother"s name was Elenor Sparks. She died in or near Lexington, Kentucky, in 1832. From Elenor Sparks" s will and the family records which Mrs. Foster inherited from her father, we have been able to prepare the following record of the children and descendants of Elenor Sparks.
Whole Number 69
DEATH TAKES SIDNEY ROSSITER
We have been informed by Roy Sparks of Omaha, Nebr., that Sidney Rossiter of Dewitt, Nebr., the husband of Mrs. Luala (Sparks) Rossiter, passed away on July 27, 1969. aged 100 years, 9 months, and 11 day. Mr. Rossiter was mentioned in the article on Calvin and Mahala (Carmichael) Sparks which appeared in the Quarterly of March 1969, Whole No. 65, p. 1207.
Charles F. Sparks, with his sons and daughters; picture taken June 22, 1969.
Seated: Son W. D. Sparks & Charles F.
Standing: Sons Russell V., Bert L., & Lowell H., Daughters Maxine and Tressie and Son C. K. Sparks.
Charles F. Sparks, 1885-1969
Picture taken "at the well" in 1960 showing his beloved Kentucky hills.
Virgie T. (Sparks) Sparks, 1889-1934
Wife of Charles F. Sparks, 1885-1969
Daughter of John C. & Mary S. (Green) Sparks
Picture taken in 1905
DEATH TAKES DR. JOHN S. SPARKS
It is with deep regret that we report the passing of another long-time member of the Association. On February 21, 1970, Dr. John S. Sparks died suddenly at his home, "Mount Airy," at White Post, Virginia. Dr. Sparks was born June 23, 1904, in Waco, Texas. He was a graduate of Dallas University School of Pharmacy and was a registered pharmacist for over 40 years in Texas, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. He was a member of the Northern Virginia, Virginia, and the District of Columbia Pharmaceutical Association. He served with the U.S. Navy's medical service corps as a pharmacist during World War II in the South Pacific.
Dr. Sparks is survived by his widow, Elizabeth Fritts Sparks; one daughter, Mrs. Sydney Elgin, Oakton, Va.; one brother, Sidney Sparks, Dingman's Ferry, Pa., and two grandchildren.
Page 1324
Whole Number 70
DEATH TAKES THOMAS CARLTON SPARKS
We regret to report that Thomas Carlton Sparks died on April 6, 1970, at the age of 87 years. He was a son of William Martin and Mary Elizabeth (Phillippa) Sparks. He was buried in the Valley Halley Cemetery in Fairfield, Alabama. For a record of his ancestry see the article devoted to Jeremiah Sparks, Sr., Ca. 1765-18140 that appeared in the Quarterly of December 1960, Whole No. 32. Thomas Carlton Sparks's name appears on page 524.
Page 1330
Whole Number 70
DEATH TAKES MRS. DELILAH FREEMAN KISER
One of our members, Irma Hills Hebard, has reported the passing of Mrs. Delilah Freeman Kiser on January 26,1970, in St, John's Hospital, Springfield, Missouri. She was buried in Greenlawn Cemetery, Springfield. Mrs. Kiser was the greatgranddaughter of James Sparks and the great-great-granddaughter of Richard and Anna (Smith) Sparks. Her full name was Opal Delilah Freeman and she was the daughter of James Thomas Hile Freeman, See page 712 of the March 1963 Quarterly, Whole No. 111) for her ancestry.
Page 1434
Whole Number 75
DEATH TAKES MELISSA EVELYN SPARKS
We deeply regret to report the passing of another member of The Sparks Family Association. On October 20, 1970, Mrs. Elias M. Fletcher, whose maiden name was 23.4.2.x Melissa Evelyn Sparks, died in Wright County, Missouri, where she had been born on August 31, 1887. She lived north of the town of Norwood, Missouri. A daughter of 23.4.2 James Richard and Susan Ann (Abshire) Sparks, she married Elias N. Fletcher on March 16, 1909. James Richard Sparks, her father, was born July 24, 1841, and died on March 8, 1894. (See the Quarterly of September 1962, Whole No. 39, pp. 661-665 for a record of this family.) Mrs. Fletcher left five children;
23.4.2.x.1 Ruth Fletcher Fagan;
23.4.2.x.2 Randle Fletcher;
23.4.2.x.3 Edna Fletcher Saladin;
23.4.2.x.4 Jack Fletcher; and
23.4.2.x.5 Clinton Fletcher.
Page 1452
Whole Number 76
DEATH TAKES MISS ROSE E. SPARKS (1885-1971)
We regret to report the passing of Miss Rose Eiily Sparks, aged eighty-six, of Akron, Ohio, formerly of Lawrence County, Kentucky. Miss Sparks died on October 21, 1971. She was an aunt of Dr. Paul E. Sparks, President of the Sparks Family Association, and a charter member of the Association.
Funeral services were conducted in the Bradley Gap Baptist Church and burial was in the Sparks Cemetery on Morgans Creek in Lawrence County.
Miss Sparks was born in Lawrence County on May 19, 1885, and was a daughter of the late Colby and Martha (Chaff in) Sparks. Survivors include a sister, Mrs. Flora Williams of Beckley, West Virginia, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Page 1512
Whole Number 79
DEATH TAKES
85.1.9.6 DAVID ALFRED SPARKS
Nelliemae Burns Sparks of Sparks, Nevada, has reported the death of her Uncle Dave Sparks. 85.1.9.6 David Alfred Sparks, born February 2, 1890, died suddenly at his home in Ariel, Washington, on May 3, 1972. He was buried at the Frank Abel Cemetery in Woodland, Washington. Mr. Sparks was married on July 13, 1926, in Dillon, Montana, to Ester Hazel Clifford, born February 2, 1902, in Lincoln, Idaho, the daughter of Ephraim Karlnealius and Ida Deborah (Hill) Clifford.
David and Ester Sparks had two children:
85.1.9.6.1 Ester Arzela Sparks, born July 24, 1924, married Floyd Allan Seagraves, and
85.1.9.6.2 David Clifford Sparks, born April 20, 1927, unmarried.
Mr. Sparks is also survived by two grandchildren:
85.1.9.6.1.1 Robert Allan Seagraves, born June 13, 1950, and
85.1.9.6.1.2 Dorothy Ann Seagraves, born October 13, 1951.
He is also survived by one brother, 85.1.9.7 Wilbur Douglas Sparks of Woodland, Washington, and one sister, Nola Jane Sparks Hammill of Salt Lake City, Utah, and a half-brother, Harvey Jennings Sparks of Woodland.
David Alfred Sparks was a son of 85.1.9 James Harvey and Arzela (Lykins) Sparks of Morgan and Lewis Counties, KY, and a grandson of 85.1 John Ardie and Mary Ann (Lykins) Sparks and James Harvey and Nancy Jane (Ferguson) Ljyklna of Morgan County, KY. He was preceded in death by five brothers:
85.1.9.1 William Stuart Sparks, born June 29, 1879;
85.1.9.2 James Monroe Sparks, born February 14, 1881;
85.1.9.3 John Franklin Sparks, born March 23, 1882;
85.1.9.4 Henry Hendricks Cleveland Sparks, born September 7, 1884; and
85.1.9.5 George Grover Sparks, born April 23, 1887, all born in Kentucky.
Mr. Sparks was a veteran of the First World War and, following his marriage, resided for some 43 years in Ariel, Washington. He was a fine man, loved dearly by all his family and friends. His remarkably keen memory, which he retained until his death, was of great assistance in our research on the Sparks families of Morgan and Lewis Counties, Kentucky.
Page 1530
Whole Number 80
DEATH TAKES GENEVIEVE (SPARKS) SPALDING
We regret to report the passing of Genevieve (Sparks) Spald.ing on May 7, 1972, in Atlanta, Georgia. A record of Mrs. Spalding's ancestry and family appeared in the Quarterly of September 1959 (page 417). She was a daughter of Edward Cunningham and Edna Sudella (Phelon) Sparks and was born November 5, 1893. She was married on October 18, 1919, at Springfield, Mass., to Captain (now Colonel) Basil D. Spalding. She is survived by her husband, three children, and six grandchildren.
DEATH TAKES WILLIAM F. ARNALL
We regret to report the death of one of the Association's most faithful supporters for many years, Mr. William F. Arnall of Hartville, Missouri. Mr. Arnall was born on March 13, 1895, at Mansfield, Wright County, Missouri; he died on June 26, 1972. His parents were Isaac N. and Margaret Jane (Sparks) Arnall. (See the Quarterly of March 1963, Whole No. 41, for a detailed record of Mr. Arnall's ancestry.) He was married in 1920 to Beatrice G. Piatt. Mrs. Arnall has written the following letter to us regarding her husband's death:
"September 7, 1972. Dear Mr. Bidlack: It has been a sad past two months for me. I guess I should have thought of you sooner. Mr. Arnall passed away June 26. He was sick for a long time & the doctor said he could never get better so Our Dear Lord saw fit to take him on. Will enjoyed his or your papers so much, even after he couldn't help anymore. We have met so many nice people through the association. When people came home to visit and ask about older family background, they were sent to Will & his papers. He enjoyed looking up their folks & visiting with them. I shall put this last Quarterly with the others. Yours sincerely,
Mrs. W. F. Arnall."
Page 1576
Whole Number 82
DEATH TAKES CARRIE GRANT HEFFEN
Through the twenty years that the Quarterly has been published, Carrie Grant Heppen has provided more material for publication in its pages than any other researcher. It is with deep personal sadness that the editor reports the death of Mrs. Heppen on April 13, 1973. Although I met her personally only once, twenty years of correspondence had made her a very special friend.
Mrs. Heppen was a professional genealogist of great talent and unparalleled integrity. She lived in Washington, D.C., where she not only had ready access to such splendid sources for genealogical research as the National Archives, the Library of Congress, and the D.A.R. Library, but she was so well known to and highly respected by the librarians and archivists in charge of those collections that she had access to materials that are unknown to many researchers. One could always be confident that the genealogical and historical data gathered by Mrs. Heppen was not only accurately and fully copied, but that her imaginative research had left few sources undiscovered. Shortly after we began publishing the QUARTER.LY, Mrs. Heppen agreed to watch for Sparks materials while doing research for other clients. Much of our most valuable data on the family thus came to light through what she called her "random findings on the Sparks family." Only a small portion of the data gathered for us by Mrs. Heppen have been published - - we shall continue to use her findings for as long as the Quarterly survives.
Carrie Grant Heppen was 72 years old when she died, a victim of lung cancer. Born in Georgia, Mrs. Heppen came to Washington to work for the National Recovery Administration in the 1930's. She later was a secretary for the General Services Administration. Her first husband, Army Captain Clay C. Grant, died in 1925. Her second husband, Peter Joseph Heppen, died in 1963. She left a son, Thomas H. Grant, and a daughter, Mrs. Bonnie Lohfeld. She was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
DEATH TAKES HOBART DARLING
It is with deep regret that we report the passing of a Sparks descendant who has long been a loyal supporter of the Sparks Family Association, Mr. Hobart McKinley Darling. Born on March 20, 1897, he died on April 8, 1973. A native of Michigan, Mr. Darling worked for the city of Grand Rapids for some twenty-five years. He and his wife were living in retirement at Atascadero, California, at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife, Anna, who continues to support our Association; one daughter, Mrs. Vernon (Dolly) Hollinger of Cedar Pines Park, California.; four sisters; and three grandchildren.
Mr. Darling descended, through both of his parents, from Locelia Sparks (also called Celia) who was born in Connecticut on April 11, 1801. She was a daughter of Samuel and Mary Sparks of Killingly, W'indham County, Connecticut. Besides their daughter Locelia, Samuel and Mary Sparks are believed to have had sons named George and Asa, and a daughter, Sarah, who married a Mr. Barrington. Locelia Sparks was married in Chautauqua County, New York, to Ira Asariah Selden in 1819. They moved to Ohio ca. 1833, then to Clinton County, Michigan, in 1844; she died in Danby Township, lonia County, Michigan, on December 13, 1872.
Page 1612
Whole Number 84
DEATH TAKES HAZLE TEGARD TARMAN
It is with deep regret that we report the death of Mrs. Hazle Tegard Tarman, a most supportive member of the Association for the past decade. She died of a heart attack on April 29, 1973, in Bloomington, Illinois, and was buried in El Paso, Illinois. Her parents were William White Tegard (born November 14, 1855, died May 7, 1926) and Clara May Sparks (born March 12, 1861, in Woociford County, Illinois, and died June 1, 1938, in El Paso, Illinois). Mrs. Tarman was active in a number of organizations in El Paso, including the American Legion Auxiliary, the Order of Eastern Star, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She had been a switchboard operator for the El Paso Telephone Company for thirty-five years prior to her death. Mrs. Tarman 's maternal grandparents were Asa and Amanda (Van Scyoc) Sparks. Asa Sparks was born November 10, 1817, and was a son of Amos and Nancy Ann (Borough) Sparks. (Nancy Ann's maiden name may have been spelled Burrow rather than Borough.) See the Quarterly of December 1972 (Whole No. 80, pp. 1527-30) for more information on Mrs. Tarman's branch of the Sparks family. We are grateful to Rita M. Pierce for telling us of Mrs. Tarman 'a passing. Miss Pierce had been the one first to interest Mrs. Tarman in genealogy. Although they both traced their Sparks lines, they could never find a direct connection. "Our families had been friends and neighbors for nearly seventy years," Miss Pierce reports; "I have lost a very close and dear friend."
Page 1613
Whole Number 84
DEATH TAKES J. FRANK GIBSON
It is with deep regret that we report the death of John Franklin Gibson, a loyal & most generous member of the Association for many years. A resident of Mesa, Arizona, Mr. Gibson died of a heart attack on October 12, 1973. Mr. Gibson was a great-great-grandson of 17.1.x Josiah and Lydia (Tollison) Sparks on whom we published data in the Quarterly of September 1965 (Whole No. 51, p. 933). Mr. Gibson descended through their daughter, Mary Ann Sparks (born June 10, 1802, died September 3, 1861) and her husband, George Washington Gibson (born June 17, 1800). (Mrs. J. Frank Gibson reports that her son, Franklin K. Gibson, is president of the George Washington Gibson Family Association.) George Washington Gibson and Mary Ann Sparks were married on March 15, 1822.
17.2.7 Josiah Sparks was a son of Matthew and Elinor Sparks and was born August 26, 1761; his birth was recorded on the register of St. John's or Piscataway Parish, Prince George's County, Maryland. This branch of the family moved to Pitteylvania County, Virginia, at about the time of the American Revolution. by 1790, Josiah Sparks had moved to South Carolina. He lived on the Pacolet River and owned land in Spartanburg County as well as Union County. His home was located in that part of Union County that is now Cherokee County, South Carolina. The will of Josiah Sparks was recorded in Union County, South Carolina, on January 29, 1853 - - he had written it on February 21, 1851. He probably died late in 1852 or early in January 1853. From his will and other records, we believe that Josiah and Lydia (Tollison) Sparks were the parents of the following children:
1. John Sparks, born ca. 1785.
2. Thomas Sparks, born ca. 1787.
3. James Sparks, born ca. 1789.
4. Muse Sparks, born ca. 1791.
5. Nancy Sparks, born ca. 1793; died before 1851; married FNU McAhan.
6. Elizabeth Sparks, born ca. 1796; died before 1851; married FNU Hall.
7. Frances Sparks, born ca. 1800.
8. Mary Ann Sparks, born June 10, 1802; see above.
9. Abigail Sparks, born ca. 1804.
Page 1706
Whole Number 88
DEATH TAKES DALPHON CLINTON SPARKS (1908-1974)
We regret to report the passing of another loyal member of the Association. Dalphon Clinton Sparks died on December 13, 1974, in Raton, New Mexico, of a heart attack. Born July 20, 1908, in Copan, Washington County, Oklahoma, he was a son of Alfred B. and Sally H. (La Prade) Sparks. Alfred (or Alford) B. Sparks (1869 -1936) was born near Hartville, Wright County, Missouri, and was a son of James and Delilah E. (Seagraves) Sparks. James Sparks (1813 -1903) was born in Iredell County, North Carolina, and was a son of Richard and Anna (Smith) Sparks. See the Quarterly of March 1963, Whole No. 41, pp. 705-718 for a record of this branch of the Sparks family.
Dalphon Clinton Sparks, known generally as D. C. Sparks, was married in Hillsboro, Sierra County, New Mexico, on May 27, 1936, to Verna Marie Laumbach; she was born on October 8, 1909. She survives her husband, as do their two children, Gerald Clinton (Jerry) Sparks of Vienna, Virginia, and Janet Elaine (Sparks) Ikenberry of Springer, New Mexico. He is also survived by five grandchildren, by two brothers, Victor Sparks and Jack Sparks of Oregon and California, and a sister, Mrs. Mary (Sparks) Hethcoatt of McArthur, California.
D. C. Sparks was a long-time Santa Fe telegrapher. He was graduated from Copan High School and he later attended the Chillicothe, Missouri, Business School. In 1928, he began his long career with the Santa Fe Railroad, serving first as a telegrapher in French, New Mexico, and subsequently throughout the Santa Fe's New Mexico Division, which includes parts of Texas and Colorado. During World War II he served briefly in the Panama Canal Zone with the U.S. Railroad Service.
DEATH TAKES R. L. JURNEY
Mail addressed to R. L. Jurney of Mt. Pleasant, Texas, has been returned marked "deceased." Mr. Jurney joined the Association in 1957 and has been generous in his support through the years. We have no further information regarding his passing.
Page 1714
Whole Number 89
DEATH TAKES ERNEST LE ROY SPARKS
We regret to report that Ernest LeRoy Sparks of San Augustine, Texas, died on February 19, 1975. A lifelong resident of San Augustine, he was born March 28, 1922, and was Vice-President of the Home Life Insurance of Texas, founded by his father, Ernest Richard Sparks, whose obituary appeared in the September 1956 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 15, pp. 151-52. The only son of Ernest LeRoy Sparks, Stephen R. Sparks, has now joined the Association, our first known example of a third generation of Association members.
Ernest LeRoy Sparks is survived by his wife, Agnes; his son, Stephen R.; one grandson; his mother, Audra Eva (Ford) Sparks; four sisters, Marie Lawrence, Frances Maxwell, Betty Jean Cartwright, and Claudine Selden; and two brothers, Beeman Sparks and Hugh Sparks.
Ernest LeRoy Sparks was a grandson of Samuel Lawrence and Frances E. (Freeland) Sparks who moved from Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, to Texas in 1896. His greatgrandparents were Lawrence Ivan and Elizabeth (Prince) Sparks. Known as "Ivey" Sparks, Lawrence Ivan Sparks was born in Georgia but by 1840 was living with his parents, Lloyd and Rebecca Sparks, in Union County, South Carolina. The father of Lawrence Ivan Sparks, Lloyd Sparks, was born ca. 1796. Both Lloyd Sparks and his wife, Rebecca, were born in South Carolina, but moved to Georgia after their marriage. It was in Georgia that their children were born. by 1840, however, they had returned to Union County, South Carolina. We have not succeeded in tracing the parentage of Lloyd Sparks.
Whole Number 91
DEATH TAKES JOHN DUDLEY AND AUDREY (HARRIS) SPARKS
We regret to report the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. John Dudley Sparks during 1974. John Dudley Sparks died on June 24, 1974, at the age of 70; his wife, Audrew (Harris) Sparks, died on October 27, 1974, at the age of 68. They were residents of Chester, Queen Anne's County, Maryland. Mr. Sparks had been a member of the Sparks Family Association for many years. He was born on Kent Island, in Queen Anne's County, on September 28, 1903, a son of William A. and Mary Catherine Sparks. Until his retirement ten years ago, Mr. Sparks owned an oil company, a grocery store, and other businesses in Chester which gained the name of Sparks Corner for the intersection where they were located. Audrey (Harris) Sparks, wife of John Dudley Sparks, was a daughter of Carrow M. and Wilhelmia Harris. Two sons survived the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Sparks: Mervyn C. Sparks and John D. Sparks, Jr., both of Chester. One brother and one sister also survive Mr. Sparks: James G. Sparks of Carney, Maryland, and Mary Kelley of Chester.
DEATH TAKES MRS. ANGELINE (WILSON) SPARKS
We regret to report the death on July 15, 1975, of Mrs. Angeline (Wilson) Sparks of Ardmore, Oklahoma; she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Charles Sparks, on October 12, 1962. Both are buried in the Pioneer Chapel of Llano Cemetery, Amarillo, Texas. Mr. Sparks was a great-great-grandson of Matthew and Sarah Sparks who moved from Frederick County, Maryland, to the Wilkes County, North Carolina, area before the American Revolution. Following the Revolution, the family moved to the Creek Indian lands of Georgia where Matthew was killed by Indians in 1793. (See the Quarterly of June 1961, Whole No. 34, pp. 556-67). Thomas Charles Sparks descended from Matthew and Sarah Sparks through their son, Nathan Sparks, who married (first) Sally Ellsberry, and married (second) Nancy Hancock. Thomas Charles and Angeline (Wilson) Sparks are survived by two sons, Robert Wilson Sparks and Thomas Charles Sparks, Jr.
Page 1829
Whole Number 94
DEATH TAKES HARRY L. SPARKS
It is with deep regret that we record the death of Harry L. Sparks who died on May 21, 1973, at Shelbyville, Kentucky. He was a charter member and loyal supporter of the Sparks Family Association. He was survived by his wife, Ura (Thomas) Sparks; a son, John Meredith Sparks; two grandsons, John M. Sparks, Jr., and David Sparks; and two sisters, Firs. Ruth Wood and Mrs. Ben Field. Harry was a Methodist, a Mason, a veteran of World War I, and a member of the 1933 Kentucky Legislature.
Harry L. Sparks descended from 21. John and Mary Sparks of Orange County, Virginia, through their son, 21.1 Thomas Sparks, who married Mary Towles, ca. 1740. (See the June 1956 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 14.) Thomas Sparks had a son, 21.1.3 Humphrey, born ca. 1749 who married Milly Nalle and they had a son, Martin Sparks, who was the great-grandfather of Harry L. Sparks. (See the September 1956 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 15.) Harry L. Sparks's paternal grandparents were Abraham Gregory and Sarah F. (Martin) Sparks and his parents were John Abraham and Mary Ellen (Clements) Sparks.
Page 1830
Whole Number 94
DEATH TAKES GLADYS VIOLA (CLIFFORD) SPARKS
James D. Sparks, a charter member of the Association, has reported the passing of his mother, Gladys Viola (Clifford) Sparks, born November 8, 1903, in Lincoln, Bonneville County, Idaho, died January 9, 1976, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was the 4th child of Ephriam Karlnealius Clifford and Ida Deborah (Hill) Clifford. A sister and she married brothers. The sister, Ester Hazel Clifford, married David Alfred Sparks, born February 2, 1890, while Gladys Viola Clifford married Douglas Wilbur (Dick W.) Sparks who was born May 18, 1892, in Vanceburg, Lewis County, Kentucky, a son of James Harvey and Arzela (Lykins) Sparks and a grandson of John Ardie and Mary Ann (Lykins) Sparks of Morgan and Lewis Counties, Kentucky. She had two children, Arzela La Verne Sparks born July 8, 1928, died November 17, 1928, and James Douglas Sparks, born November 23, 1929, in Idaho Falls, Idaho; he married September 24, 1949, in Pocatello, Idaho, Nelliemae Burns, daughter of Peter Paul and Hazel Alvera (Thorpe) Burns.
DEATH TAKES MRS. ANNIE (BREWER) MORGAN
We regret to report the passing on November 2, 1975, of Mrs. Annie (Brewer) Morgan, a long-time member and generous supporter of the Association. She was born on May 4, 1892, the 8th child of George W. and Medora Waddell (Sparks) Brewer, and was married on December 24, 1915, to Joseph Westly Morgan (born May 22, 1891). The were the parents of four children who survived infancy:
(1) Flora Ann Morgan, born January 20, 1917;
(2) Joseph Westly Morgan, Jr., born December 2, 1918;
(3) Dorothy Lee Morgan, born November 21, 1819; and
(4) Geneva Blance Morgan, born July 16, 1921.A daughter, Ruth, died in infancy.
Medora (Waddell) Sparks, Mrs. Morgan's mother, was born September 15, 1859, and died on September 8, 1937; she was a daughter of James M. and L. Virginia (Blance) Sparks. James M. Sparks, born October 11, 1839, at Cedartown, Polk County (then Paulding County) Georgia, and died on March 5, 1876, near Cedartown. He was a son of Thomas Hunter Sparks (1814 -1863) and his first wife, Mary Ann (Leonard) Sparks. Thomas Hunter Sparks was a son of 25. Martin Peeples Sparks (1786 -1837) and Elizabeth (Whatley) Sparks (1795 -1870). For a detailed record of this branch of the Sparks family, see the March 1958 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 21, pp. 271-280; the June 1958 issue, Whole No. 22, pp. 308-314, and the March 1959 issue, Whole No. 25, pp. 360-366.
Mrs. Morgan's brother, Benjamin E. Brewer, who was born April 3, 1886, died on June 6, 1975. Two members of this family are still living, her brother Joseph A. Blance Brewer, born February 22, 1899, and her sister Daisy B. Brewer (Mrs. Daniel McLean) born March 12, 1902.
Page 1918
Whole Number 98
DEATH TAKES ALBERT A. SPARKS
'We note with regret the death of Albert Alfonso Sparks, one of our most active & enthusiastic members. He died on December 5, 1976, at Ellensburg, Washington. He was born March 14, 1892, a son of James Allen and Levina Jane (Bowers) Sparks. On November 2, 1913, he married Jessie Harriett Heaton and they had six children: Luella, Frances, Minerva, Lowell, Stanley, and Douglas.
Albert had an unusually keen interest in his Sparks lineage and contributed a great deal of information about his grandfather, William Harrison Sparks, which was published in the June 1971 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 74. A charming description of Albert was written by a kinswoman, Robin Seibel, and appeared in the March 1974, issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 85.
Our sympathy is extended to his wife, Jessie, and to his children.
Page 1943
Whole Number 100
DEATH TAKES GERTRUDE SPARKS (1891-1977)
We regret to report the death of Miss Gertrude Sparks which occurred on July 2, 1977, in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Miss Sparks was a very early member of the Association and, with her sister, Leota Lawton of Plymouth, Illinois, prepared an article on the descendants of Ezra and Mahala (Shriver) Sparks which appeared in the September 1963 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 43, pp. 747-56.
Gertrude Sparks was born July 16, 1891, at Douglas, Butler County, Kansas, and was a daughter of 1.2.5.5.3.2.1.4 James S. and Alice M. (Davis) Sparks. She was a graduate in home economics of the University of Wisconsin in Madison and taught for many years in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Her grandfather was 1.2.5.5.3.2.1 Solomon Shriver Sparks who was born in Adams County, Ohio, in 1821, while her great-grandfather was 1.2.5.5.3.2 Ezra Sparks (1795-1862) who was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania. Ezra was a son of 1.2.5.5.3 Solomon Sparks (1767-1838) who moved with his family from Washington County, Pennsylvania, to Adams County, Ohio, ca. 1805.
Whole Number 101
DEATH TAKES MRS. MARIE (PICKERING) ROMIG
It is with regret that we report the death of Mrs. Marie (Pickering) Romig, of Gilman, Wisconsin, on December 3 1976. Mrs. Romig was born October 9, 1907, at Sheldon, Wisconsin. She married Glenn Romig and they had four children who survive her. They are: Theodore, Darrell, Nancy, and Marilyn. Also surviving are two sisters, Miss Darthea Pickering and Mrs. Evelyn Sanford.
DEATH TAKES LLOYD BURNETT SPARKS
We regret to report the passing of Lloyd Burnett Sparks, son of Robert L. and Elsie (Burnett) Sparks; born December 14, 1910, died in an industrial accident on April 18, 1977. He is survived by his wife, Iris Ruth (Karraker) Sparks, two daughters, and three grandchildren. He was a descendant of Baxter Sparks (see the Quarterly of March 1972, Whole No. 77, pp. 1466-74). Two of Mr. Sparks's sisters, Frances Sparks Jones and M. Lucile Edwards, are members of the Association. Mrs. Jones is making a determined effort to discover the parentage of Baxter Sparks (1777-1840) who was born in Virginia, married Elizabeth Gwin, and moved to Harrison County, Indiana, ca. 1805-06.
Page 2095
Whole Number 105
DEATH TAKES MARION SPARKS
We regret to report the death of 44.6.5.4.z Marion Sparks on October 5, 1978. He was born on November 16, 1890, at Berea, Kentucky, and was a son of 44.6.5.4 William and Jane (Lake) Sparks. William Sparks was a son of 44.6.5 Robert Sparks, a grandson of 44.6 Isaac Sparks, Jr. and a great grandson of 44. Isaac Sparks, Sr., a pioneer settler in Estill County, Kentucky. (See the June 1974 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 86.) Delbert Sparks, son of Marion Sparks, is a member of the Association. We extend our sympathy to the family.
Whole Number 108
DEATH TAKES CHARLES HARRIS ON SPARKS
We deeply regret to report the passing of Charles Harrison Sparks, of Norman, Oklahoma, on August 1, 1979. He was a longtime member of THE SPARKS FAMILY ASSOCIATION and one of its most generous supporters.
Mr. Sparks was born September 28, 1909, in Carmen, Oklahoma, and was a son of James Harrison and Leota Essie (Purcell) Sparks. His grandparents were David E. and Etta Lee (McClain) Sparks; his great-grandparents were James A. and Nancy Ann (Heaton) Sparks; his great-great-grandparents were David W. and Nancy (Hyden? ) Sparks; and his 3rd great-grandparents were Andrew Sinnockson and Jane (Templeton) Sparks. For further details on this branch of the family, see the June 1963 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 42.
Mr. Sparks had also lived in Healdton, Oklahoma., and Temple, Oklahoma., before moving to Norman. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma School of Pharmacy in 1928. He retired from Sears Merchandise Control after 30 years of service. He is survived by his wife, Edith; two daughters, Sylvia Ann Lee, of Norman, and Sherry Beasley, of Lawrenceville, Georgia; a brother, James, of Lyons, Kansas; and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James H. Sparks, of Lyons. Interment was in the Walters Cemetery, Walters, Oklahoma.
Whole Number 124
DEATH TAKES JOSEPH SPARKS LUPTON
We have received word of the death of Joseph Sparks Lupton, a long-time member of the Sparks Family Association, on November 17, 1983, at Cimarron, Kansas. He was born July 3, 1889, and was a son of David and Jennie Catherine (Sparks) Lupton. He married Ada Hungate on August 27, 1914. She died in 1982.
Mr. Lupton is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Cecil Miller, Cimarron, Kansas, and Mrs. Cecil Davis, Garden City, Kansas, and by a sister, Mrs. Frances Johnson. (See page 1418 of the September 1971 issue of The Sparks Quarterly, Whole No. 75, for further information about his SPARKS ancestry.)
DEATH TAKES FRED W. SPARKS
It is with deep regret that we record the death of Dr. Fred Winchell Sparks who died on February 15, 1982, at Claremont, California. He was born November 13, 1891, in Georgetown, Texas, and grew up in Lampasas, Texas. He was a son of Lloyd R. and Lucy Belle (Eubank) Sparks and a grandson of Martin Van Buren and Susan Louisa (Bull) Sparks. The father of Martin Van Buren Sparks was Samuel Wyatt Sparks, born July 7, 1803, in Queen Annes County, Maryland, son of William Millington Sparks, born ca. 1775 in Queen Annes County.
Dr. Sparks graduated from Southwestern University and received his doctoral degree from the University of Chicago. He taught mathematics and was the author and co-author of several textbooks in advanced mathematics. The last 35 years of his teaching career were spent at Texas Technological College. He retired in 1961 and moved to California. He and his wife, the former Mary Elizabeth Romans, have one daughter, Mary Romans Sparks, who married Kermit Dean Matthews. The Matthews' have two children, Fred K. Matthews and Mary Lois Matthews.
(In all probability, Dr. Sparks was a descendant of Millington Sparks, a son of John and Cornelia Sparks of early Queen Annes County, Maryland. See the March 1971 issue of The Sparks Quarterly, Whole No. 73, page 1389.)
Page 2673
Whole Number 127
DEATH TAKES MINNIE MAE (PIERCE) HUFFER
It is with deep regret that we report the death on August 28, 1984, of Minnie Mae (Pierce) Huffer (Mrs. Enos G.) in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Mrs. Huffer joined our association in 1953, the very year in which it was founded. A record of her branch of the Sparks family, for which she and her sister, Rita M. Pierce, contributed much of the information, appeared in the March and June, 1984, issues of the Quarterly.
Mrs. Huffer was born March 10, 1896, at Two Rivers, Wisconsin. She was a daughter of Harry Clyde and Emna Caroline (Spurgeon) Pierce. Her paternal grandmother, Sarah (Sparks) Pierce (1834-1883) was a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (DeFord) Sparks; she was a descendant of Joseph Sparks who died in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1749.
Mrs. Huffer was a graduate of Illinois State (Normal) University and, prior to her marriage in 1930, she taught school in Illinois and Ohio. She was a member of a number of patriotic and historical societies, including the D.A.R. Her husband, Enos G. Huffer, had been an invalid for a number of years; his care had occupied most of Mrs. Huffer's time for the past seven years. He died on September 5, 1984, just one week following Mrs. Huffer's passing. Mr. and Mrs. Huffer were the parents of two children, the Rev. Bruce P. Huffer and Nancy (Huffer) Macomber.
Page 2820
Whole Number 132
DEATH TAKES ROBERTA "ROBIN" SEIBEL
We regret to report the passing of a loyal member of the Association, Roberta ["Robin") Seibel, who died on August 10, 1985, at the Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles, California. She is survived by her husband, Lloyd Seibel, of Santa Ana, California, and a daughter, Roberta V. Seibel, of Denver, Colorado.
Robin was one of our most enthusiastic members and a most generous supporter of the Association. In the words of her husband, she "was a unique and beautiful person." She devoted much time to the research of her branch of the SPARKS family and shared her information unselfishly. She was a great-great-great-greatgranddaughter of Isaac Sparks (ca.1740-ca.1815), an early pioneer who came from Pennsylvania to Kentucky County, Virginia, ca. 1777. She collaborated on several articles for the Quarterly and in particular those pertaining to her ancestry that appeared in the March and June 1974 issues.
Robin had many genealogical interests, and she collected a large amount of genealogical data in both printed and manuscript form, including some 57,000 4x6 cards filled with information. Since her death, her husband has placed her papers and records in the Library of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) in Los Angeles.
Robin was a daughter of Robie and Goldie (Harrison) Sparks; a granddaughter of Ancil Daniel and Julie (Bolin) Sparks, a great-granddaughter of Levi and Cyntha Ann (Flynn) Sparks; a great-great-granddaughter of William and Hannah (Skinner) Sparks; and a great-great-great-granddaughter of Isaac, Jr. and Annis (McGuire) Sparks.
We extend our deepest sympathy to her husband and to her daughter.
Whole Number 135
DEATH TAKES VERNON W. JOBE
It is with regret that we report the death of a loyal member of the Association, Vernon W. Jobe, who passed away on May 27, 1986, in the Tampa (Florida) General Hospital. He is survived by his wife, the former Marie Uhl; a son, Vernon L. Jobe, of Dayton, Ohio; and two grandchildren. Vernon's father was a cousin of our Association's president, Dr. Paul E. Sparks.
Vernon W. Jobe was born February 17, 1926, at Akron, Ohio, and was a son of Milton Edgar and Anon (Whitmore) Jobe. His paternal grandparents were Samuel J. and Nora Jane (Sparks) Jobe, and his great-grandparents were Colby and Martha Permelia (Chaffin) Sparks. (See pages 1242-45 of the June 1969 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 66.) We extend our sympathy to his wife and son.
DEATH TAKES CHARLES JUSTIN SPARKS
It is with regret that we report the death of another longtime member of the Association, Charles Justin Sparks, who died on February 11, 1985, at North Ft. Myers, Florida. He is survived by his wife, Helen (Schaeffer) Sparks; two sons, Richard Charles Sparks and Martin John Sparks; and two daughters, Janice Ann and Bonnie Lee.
Charles was born March 20, 1919, at Kewanna, Indiana, son of Justin Charles and Ruth (Shaw) Sparks, and a grandson of Charles Justin and Clara Dell (Zellers) Sparks. See p. 1253 of the September 1969 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 67, for further details of this branch of the Sparks Family.
Page 3056
Whole Number 138
DEATH TAKES CHARLES C. ROSE
It is with deep regret that we report the death of a long-time member of the Association, Charles C. Rose, who passed away on December 28, 1986, at his home in Keaton, Kentucky. He is survived by his wife, the former Addie Mae Tincher; a son, Fred H. Rose; and three daughters: Maureen McFaddin, Mary Martha Rose, and Elizabeth Ann Rose.
Charlie Rose was born January 24, 1897, in Johnson County, Kentucky, and he was a son of Thomas and Mary Mandy (Gambill) Rose. He was a great-great-great-grandson of William and Ann Sparks, pioneer settlers of Surry County, North Carolina, through their daughter, Rachel Sparks who married John Rose in June 1772 in Surry County.
We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife and children.
Whole Number 139
DEATH TAKES GERTRUDE (DIETZ) SPARKS
It is with deep regret that we report the death of a most loyal member of the Association, Gertrude Theresa (Dietz) Sparks, who passed away at West Palm Beach, Florida, on February 4, 1987. She was preceded in death by her husband, Guy Sherman Sparks, who died in 1971. She is survived by her daughter, Sara Jean (Sparks) Beach, and two grandchildren. (For further details about the lineage of Guy Sherman Sparks, see the September 1971 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 75 and the June 1984 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 126, p. 2635.)
Gertrude (Dietz) Sparks was born December 24, 1898, at Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and was a daughter of Albert Valentine and Mary Elizabeth (Sattler) Dietz. She had a 30-year career as an Indiana teacher and was active in many social and professional organizations. We extend our sympathy to her daughter and to her grandchildren.
Whole Number 145
DEATH TAKES LAURA BELLE COCHRAN
It is with regret that we record the death of 1.2.1.2.2.7.7.6.x.y Laura Belle (McKenzie) Cochran on July 9, 1988, at Ashland, Kentucky. She is survived by a son, Dewie Cochran, Jr., and three daughters, Catherine Cochran, Charlene Cochran, and Anna Belle Cochran. Her husband, Dewie Cochran, Sr., died in 1979.
Mrs. Cochran was born September 11, 1901, in Boyd County, Kentucky, and was a daughter of Sargent and 1.2.1.2.2.7.7.6.x Arizona (Sparks) McKenzie. Her maternal grandparents were 1.2.1.2.2.7.7.6 Tillman and Susie (Murry) Sparks, and her great-grandparents were Elisha and Susanna (Pridemore) Sparks of Johnson County, Kentucky.
We extend our sympathy to members of Mrs. Cochran's family.
DEATH TAKES LORETTA ORME
It is with regret that we report the death of Loretta (Sparks) Orme who passed away on December 15, 1988, at her home in Ogden, Utah. She was a long-time member of the Association, and we shall miss her interest and support.
Loretta (Sparks) Orme was born May 27, 1901, in Nephi, Juab County, Utah. She was a daughter of Dwight Coridon and Lillie May (Black) Sparks; a granddaughter of Quartus Strong and Mary Holland (Hamilton) Sparks; and a great-granddaughter of David and Mercy (Thayer) Sparks of Maine and Massachusetts.
Mrs. Orme is survived by a son, Gordon R. Orme, and two daughters, Patricia Gessel and Guinevere Runyon. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Orme, and a son, Douglas D. Orme.
We extend our sympathy to the members of her family.
DEATH TAKES JAMES DOUGLAS SPARKS
It is with deep regret that we record the death of James Douglas Sparks who passed away on June 21, 1988, at his home in Van Buren, Arkansas. He had been a member of the Association since 1954. He is survived by his wife, the former Nelliemae Burns, to whom we extend our sympathy. James D. Sparks was born November 23, 1929, in Idaho, and was a son of William Douglas and Gladys (Clifford) Sparks. His paternal grandparents were James Harvey and Arzela (Lykins) Sparks, and his great-grandparents were John Ardie and Mary
Ann (Lykins) Sparks. (See the March 1965 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 49, for a detailed account of this branch of the family.
Page 2026
Whole Number 103
DEATH TAKES JOHN WILL SPARKS
Once again it becomes our duty to record the death of another charter member of the Sparks Family Association. John Will Sparks of Carter County, Kentucky, passed away on June 25, 1978. He was born in Elliott County, Kentucky, on October 13, 1896, a son of Ashby and Amanda (Mauk) Sparks and a grandson of Levi and Nancy (Lawson) Sparks. (See page 102 of the December 1955 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 12, for additional information about his lineage.) He was a member of the Regular Baptist Church. He never married.
Page 2194
Whole Number 109
DEATH TAKES JANICE (STONER) LYMAN
It is with regret that we report the death of a member, Mrs. Janice (Stoner) Lyman on October 20, 1979, at Binghamton, New York. She was born July 29, 1923;, at Norwich, NY, and. was a daughter of Clarence and Florence (Blackburn) Stoner. Her maternal grandparents were Edward and Delia (Sparks) Blackburn.
Delia (Sparks) Blackburn was born September 25, 1869, at Courtland, Michigan. She was a daughter of James and Susan Sparks, and a granddaughter of James Sparks, Sr. (1785-1878). James Sparks, Jr. (18l5-1893) emigrated to the United States from Herefordshire, England, ca. 1860, along with two brothers and three sisters, and perhaps his parents. They stopped for a few years in Onondoga County, New York, before continuing west to Michigan where they settled in the lonia and Kent Counties area.
Mrs. Lyman is survived by her husband, Leon Lyman; three children (Lawrence Lyman, Gregory Lyman, and Janette (Lyman) Hibbard; a brother, John Stoner; and a sister, Marietta (Stoner) Watson.
DEATH TAKES JAMES CHARLES PARK, JR.
It is with deep regret that we note the passing of a most faithful and generous member of the Association, James Charles Park, Jr., who died on January 1, 1980. He was born December 6, 1904, at Crowder, Oklahoma, and was a son of James Charles, Sr. and Emma Mae (Ferrill) Park. Emma Mae Ferrill was born in 1883 and was a daughter of John B., Jr. and Margaret (Lewis) Ferrill. Her paternal grandparents were John B., Sr. and Martha Jane (Sparks) Ferrill, thus Martha Jane Sparks was a great-grandmother of James Charles Park, Jr.
Martha Jane Sparks (usually called Jane) died on July 20, 1931, at Tulsa, Oklahoma. According to her death certificate, she was born in 1845 in North Carolina. The name of her father was not known; her mother was Mary Hampton. During the Civil War, Jane wrote to an uncle, William Sparks, who lived near her home at Sedalia, Missouri. She is said to have had an older brother, "Hamp" Sparks, and sisters, Louisa Sparks and Emma Sparks, all of whom came to Oklahoma after the close of the Civil War. Hamp Sparks lived at Catossa, Oklahoma. Louisa Sparks married A. E. Sweet, and Emma Sparks married FNU White.
Jane Sparks married John Burton Ferrill at Georgetown, Missouri, on October 15? 186l, just two months after he had joined the Union Army on August 11, 186l. They had one child, John Burton Ferrill, Jr., who was born February 28, 1863. John Burton Ferrill, Sr. died of a service-connected illness on April 15, 1863 in the Lawson Hospital at St. Louis, Missouri. Jane (Sparks) Ferrill married, as her second husband, Basil Airheart on November 4, 1868, at Wyandotte, Missouri, and they had two sons. Will Airheart and Basil Airheart, Jr. Jane married (third) John M. Bunch on December 4, 1907, at Crowder, Missouri. They had no children.
DEATH TAKES TROY EDGAR SPARKS
It is with regret that we record the death of one of our members, Troy Edgar Sparks, on May 9, 1979, at Duncan, Oklahoma. He was born August 10, 1910, at Waurika, Oklahoma, and was a son of Caswell Perry Sparks. His grandfather was George W. Sparks of Sarcoxie, Missouri. His great-grandfather was Josiah A. Sparks, Jr. of Adair County, Kentucky, and Lawrence County, Missouri. A record of this "branch of the family has appeared in the December 1979 issue of the Quarterly along with the present issue. See page 2183 of this issue for the specific reference to Troy Edgar Sparks.
Mr. Sparks leaves his wife, Dorothy Ruth (Hall) Sparks; one daughter, Harla June (Sparks) Hall; three sons, Perry Edgar Sparks, Ray Kent Sparks, and Jerry Hall Sparks; and one sister, Mrs. Pauline (Sparks) Lang.
Pages 2222
Whole Number 111
DEATH TAKES NED T. SPARKS
We regret to report that Ned T. Sparks, a member of our Association, died on April 2, 1980. His membership has been taken up by his widow, Margaret C. Sparks. Mr. Sparks was born November 15, 1900, in Morganton, N. C.; he was a son of John L. Sparks and Purella (Rector) Sparks, both of Burke County, N. C. His grandparents were William M. Sparks and Virginia (Berry) Sparks, both of Burke County. He is survived by his wife, a sister, Mary (Sparks) Dobson of Nebo, N. C., a brother, Jack Sparks, of Glendale, California., and a grandson, Philip M. Harrison of Silver Spring, Maryland.
Page 2260
Whole Number 112
DEATH TAKES JACQUELINE HAYS SPARKS
It is with deep regret that we note the death of Jacqueline Hays Sparks of Memphis, Tennessee, on July 27, 1980. Mrs. Sparks was the wife of longtime and very supportive Association member, the Rev. Dr. John W. Sparks. She had been a member of the library staff of the Memphis Theological Seminary for a number of years prior to her death. Dr. Sparks's ancestry appeared in the June 1978 issue of the Quarterly (Whole No.102) and his portrait appeared on the cover of the issue for June 1964 (Whole No. 46) at the time of his retirement at the rank of colonel (chaplain) from the United States Army.
DEATH TAKES DAVID ALFRED SPARKS
We have just learned of (and now record) the death of David Alfred Sparks, a longtime member of the Sparks Family Association, at his home in Ariel, Washington, on May 3, 1972. He was a son of James Harvey and Arzela (Lykins) Sparks, and a grandson of John Ardie and Mary Ann (Lykins) Sparks. (See the March 1965 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 49.) David was born February 9, 1890, in Lewis County, Kentucky. He married Esther Hazel Clifford in Beaverhead County, Montana, on July 13, 1926, and they had two children, Esther Arzela Sparks and David Clifford Sparks. He was an uncle of James Douglas Sparks, whose wife, Nelliemae (Burns) Sparks, has given this report to us.
Page 2488
Whole Number 120
DEATH TAKES A. EUGENE EDWARDS
It is with deep regret that we record the death of A. Eugene Edwards, a longtime member of the Association, who passed away on August 31, 1982, at Akron, Ohio. He was born January 17, 1915, at Chatteroy, West Virginia, and was a son of George W. ["Buck") and Georgia (Sparks) Edwards. His maternal grandfather was Colby Sparks whose trip by covered wagon from Texas to Kentucky was recorded in the June 1969 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 66. Mr. Edwards is survived by his wife, Marguerite, and three daughters, Patricia Anne Cheek, Barbara Jean Patterson, and Carol Susan Barger.
Page 2517
Whole Number 121
DEATH TAKES CLAUDE E. SPARKS
We regret to report the death of Claude Ezell Sparks on February 4, 1983. Born on December 11, 1897, Mr. Sparks was a life-long resident of Union, Cross Keys Community, South Carolina. He was extremely helpful to the Association in tracing the family and descendants of John Sparks (born ca. 1755, died 1826) of Union County, South Carolina. Much of the Quarterly of March 1960 (Whole No. 29) was devoted to this branch of the Sparks family. Mr. Sparks was the principal historian of Union County for many years and published a history of the County in 1977. Claude E. Sparks was a son of William Mayfield and Jennie (Bobo) Sparks. His grandfather was Levi Sparks (1826-1899) and his grandmother was Levi's third wife, Leannah F. (Bobo) Sparks.
Whole Number 126
DEATH TAKES FRANCES SPARKS JONES
It is with deep regret that we report the death of Frances (Sparks) Jones, who passed away on March 11, 1983, at Walnut Creek, California. She was one of the most enthusiastic and generous supporters of The Sparks Family Association. She is survived by her husband, Giles E. Jones, and three sisters: Ina Trammell, M. Lucile Edwards, and Betty Farris. She was born March 17, 1916, at Marion, Illinois, and was a daughter of Robert and Elsie (Burnett) Sparks. She was a descendant of Baxter Sparks (1777-1840). (See the March 1972 issue of the Sparks Quarterly, Whole No. 77, for further details of the family of Baxter Sparks. See also page 1828 of the June 1976 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 94, for a query about the parents of Baxter Sparks.)
Page 2711
Whole Number 129
DEATH TAKES VERNIE LOUIS SPARKS
We have just learned of the death of Vernie Louis Sparks, a member of the Association, who died on November 9, 1983, at his home in Chula Vista, California. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Cleo J. Sparks whose address is now Rt. l, Box 145 K59, Blanchard, OK 73010. Vernie was born September 1, 1933, and was a son of William Robinson and Nettie (Whiteley) Sparks of Boxley, AR. See page 2009 of the June 1978 Quarterly for further details of the ancestry of William Robinson Sparks.
Page 2765
Whole Number 130
DEATH TAKES McKISSACK SISTERS
It is with regret that we record the deaths of Mrs. Althea (McKissack) Self on January 31, 1985, and of her sister, Miss Clara McKissack, on February 2, 1985. There were buried in the Talpa (Texas) Cemetery after a joint funeral service. Mrs. Self was born February 17, 1908. Miss McKissack was born August 29, 1912. They were sisters of Mrs. Addie Hardaway whose husband is a descendant of 1.2.1.2.2.3 William and Mary (Fielder) Sparks through their daughter, Eady (Sparks) Simmons. The husband of Mrs. Self is also a Sparks descendant. See page 1310 of the June 1970 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 70.
DEATH TAKES SALLIE BELLE (SPARKS) MABERRY
It is with regret that we record the death of Sallie Belle (Sparks) Maberry who died on February 13, 1985, at her home in Amarillo, Texas. She was 91 years of age.
Mrs. Maberry was born in Oklahoma and was a daughter of Nathan Robert and Margery Ellen (Maxwell) Sparks. Her grandparents were Jesse Hancock and Susan (Cornel) Sparks; her great-grandparents were Nathan and Nancy (Hancock) Sparks; and her great-great-grandparents were Matthew and Sarah (Thompson) Sparks. See the June 1961 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 34, for futher details about this branch of the Sparks family.
Mrs. Maberry was preceded in death by her husband, Buell George Maberry, whom she married in 1921. She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Margery Ann Gilmor, of Waterloo, Iowa; a son, James W. Maberry, of Pierre, South Dakota; a sister, Ina Madden, of San Antonio, Texas; and a brother, Robert D. Sparks, of Alamogordo, Texas. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Amarillo for 64 years.
DEATH TAKES ROBERT WARREN SPARKS
We have learned of the death of a long-time member of the Sparks Family Association, Robert Warren Sparks, who passed away on September 8, 1983, at Fort Worth, Texas. He left as his survivors: his wife, Moreene Sparks; two sons, Cmdr. Buddy T. Sparks, U.S. Navy, and Warren Sparks, Fort Worth, Texas; and a daughter, Carroll (Sparks) Barrow. He was buried in the Justin Cemetery, Justin, Texas.
Page 2786
Whole Number 131
DEATH TAKES MARTHA (SPARKS) DAVIS
We regret to report the passing of another loyal member of The Sparks Family Association, Martha (Sparks) Davis, who died on March 15, 1985, in the King's Daughters' Medical Center at Ashland, Kentucky. She had been graduated from the King's Daughters' School of Nursing there in 1928. She is survived by her husband, Fred T. Davis; her daughter, Mrs. Sara M. Heald; two sisters, Mrs. Eva Fields and Mrs. Dorothy Murphy; two brothers, James E. Sparks and Paul E. Sparks; and three grandchildren.
Martha (Sparks) Davis was born 3 February 1907, at Burnwell, West Virginia, and was a daughter of the late James B. and Sarah (Conley) Sparks. Her paternal grandparents were Colby and Martha (Chaffin) Sparks, and her great-grandparents were Hugh and Nancy (Curnutte) Sparks. See the December 1955 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 12, for further details of this branch of the SPARKS family.
Martha was a most enthusiastic member of the Association and gave generously of her time to the promotion of its work. Her major contribution was her work with the 1963 -1967, the 1968-1972, and the 1973-79 indexes. On the latter two, she did the indexing of the surnames almost single-handedly, while her brother, Paul E. Sparks, President of the Association, did the geographical names. She will be greatly missed for the untiring work she did for the readers of the Quarterly.
Page 2787
Whole Number 131
DEATH TAKES VERNIE LOUIS SPARKS
We learned recently, with regret, of the death of Vernie Louis Sparks, a member of The Sparks Family Association, who died on November 9, 1983, at his home in Chula Vista, California. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Cleo J. Sparks, whose address is now Route 1, Box 145K59, Blanchard, Oklahoma 73010.
Vernie was born September 1, 1933, and was a (Correction: grandson) of William Robinson and Nettie (Whiteley) Sparks of Boxley, Arkansas. His parents were William Russell and Hilda (Morgan) Sparks. See page 2009 of the June 1978 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 102, for further details of the ancestry of William Robinson Sparks.
Whole Number 133
DEATH TAKES JOSEPH Z. SPARKS
It is with regret that we report the death of another loyal member of the Association. 17.2.7.2.2.3.7.1 Joseph Zachariah Sparks passed away on January 24, 1985, at Springfield, Illinois. He is survived by his wife, Virginia; a son, Joseph E. Sparks of Galesburg, Illinois; and five grandchildren. Another son, Jack Lee Sparks, preceded him in death. We extend our deepest sympathy to the members of his family.
Joseph Z. Sparks was born June 21, 1911, at Buffalo Hart, Illinois. He was a son of 17.2.7.2.2.3.7 Zachariah Kelsey and Margaret Isabelle (Hoff) Sparks, and a grandson of 17.2.7.2.2.3 John William ["Candy"] and Charlotte Temple (Collins) Sparks of Adair County, Kentucky. Details about this branch of the family can be found on pages 2155-66 of the December 1979 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 108, and on pages 2534-35 of the June 1983 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 122.
DEATH TAKES LUCIA ANN STEPHENS
We regret to report the passing of one of the oldest members of our Association. Lucia Ann Stephens joined our organization in 1953 and thus ranked as a Charter Member. She was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on January 26,1893; she died on May 20, 1985. She was a daughter of John Putnam and Mary Ann (Gullickson) Brown and a granddaughter of Mary (Sparks) Brown. Mary Sparks was a daughter of Abel and Sarah Sparks; she was born October 25, 1815, in Tennessee and died on May 10, 1879, Franklin County, Iowa. (See the Quarterly of December 1958, Whole No. 24, pp. 337-39 and the issue of September 1972, Whole No. 79.)
Mrs. Stephens moved with her parents from Iowa to Seattle, Washington, when she was 13 years old. She married Roy Thomas Stephens in 1917. Their first child, Dorothy Stephens Heider, was born while her father was serving overseas in World War I with the U. S. Navy. Two other children were born to this union: Nadine Phyllis Stephens (1920-1972) and James Arthur Stephens (1928-1982).
Mrs. Heider has written of her mother as follows: "She was a dedicated wife and mother, had numerous life-long friends, was a past matron of the Eastern Star, and directed her own affairs until she passed away at 92. She loved the Sparks Quarterly and could almost name the day it would arrive." We extend to Mrs. Heider, herself a faithful member of our Association, and to her family, our deepest sympathy.
Page 2904
Whole Number 134
DEATH TAKES EDITH (SPARKS) WALLIN
It is with deep regret that we record the death of a long-time member of the Sparks Family Association, Edith (Sparks) Wallin, who passed away on November 20, 1985, at Grant, Nebraska. She was born in 1899 and was a daughter of William Granvil and Estella (Morse) Sparks and a granddaughter of William Riley and Barbara Elizabeth (Carter) Sparks. Her death followed by just a few months that of her uncle, Murrell Sparks, who passed away on August 30, 1985. He was the last of the persons whose pictures were shown on page 1731 of the June 1975 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 90. For further information about this branch of the SPARKS family, see the September 1955 and March 1969 issues of the Quarterly, Whole Nos. 11 and 65, respectively.
Whole Number 135
DEATH TAKES IRA PAULUS ISON
It is with deep regret that we report the death of a charter member of the Association, Ira Paulus Ison, who passed away on August 7, 1986, at his home at Stephens, Kentucky. He was born December 13, 1885, in Elliott County, Kentucky, and was a son of Andrew Jackson and Hannah (Creech) Ison. He was a retired school teacher and farmer. His wife, Nancy, preceded him in death.
Mr. Ison is survived by five daughters: Vesta White, Jackson, Ohio; Pauline Bentley and Claudia Mitchell, both of Columbus, Ohio; Lorene Riggs, Zanesville, Ohio; and Madeline Johnson, Stephens; two sons: Wendell Ison, Columbus, Ohio, and Milo Ison, Stephens. Four sons: Glen Ison, Waldo Ison, Quentin Ison, and Berdine Ison preceded him in death.
Ira Ison was a most capable amateur genealogist and local historian. When the Sparks FAmily Association was founded in 1953, he was the authority to whom we turned to unravel the tangled relationships of all of the Sparkses who had come from North Carolina to north-eastern Kentucky ca. 1821. He will be remembered for his keen memory and genealogical knowledge. We extend our sympathy to his family.
Ira Paulus Ison (1885-1986)
(Picture)
Whole Number 136
DEATH TAKES JESSE RAYMOND HOLT
We regret to record the death of another member of the Association, Jesse Raymond Holt, who passed away on December 20, 1985, at Kingman, Arizona. He was survived by a brother, H. B. ["Buster"] Holt of Prescott Valley, Arizona. He was never married.
Raymond Holt was born November 13, 1899, in Roby, Texas. He became a stockman and was honored by the Arizona National Livestock Show in 1979 as a member of the Arizona Stockmen Hall of Fame. He was a son of John Wesley and Mary Ann (Sparks) Holt; a grandson of James Henderson and Margaret Elizabeth (Rash) Sparks; and a great-grandson of Ephraim E. and Sallie A. (Reiley) Sparks. See pages 1415-18 of the September 1971 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 75, for further details of this branch of the family.
Page 3174
Whole Number 140
DEATH TAKES NINA LEONA (SPARKS) BRIGHT
It is with deep regret that we record the death of Nina Leona (Sparks) Bright who died on September 4, 1987, at Florence, Colorado. She is survived by a sister, Flossie Marie (Sparks) Welsch, and a brother, Henry Erwyn Sparks. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Edman Bright.
Nina Leona Sparks was born September 12, 1901, at Kinsley, Kansas, and was a daughter of David Grove and Rosa Adell (Minton) Sparks. Her paternal grandparents were Frederick Bryant and Mary Elizabeth (Speer) Sparks. We extend our deepest sympathy to her sister and to her brother. (See the March 1964 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 45, for further details of the lineage of this branch of the Sparks family.)
DEATH TAKES RHODA (YOUNG) WEBB
We deeply regret to report the passing of Mrs. Rhoda (Young) Webb of Louisville, Kentucky, on October 10, 1987. She is survived by her husband, William Webb, and their two sons, Raymond Webb and Daymond Webb.
Rhoda Young was born at South Irvine, Kentucky, and was a daughter of Luther and Cynthia Ann (Sparks) Young. Her maternal grandparents were James and Sarah Jane (Sparks) Sparks. We extend our deepest sympathy to her husband and her sons. (For further information about this branch of the Sparks family, see the September 1983 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 123.)
Whole Number 141
DEATH TAKES A. DALE SPARKS
It is with deep regret that we record the death of A. Dale Sparks who died at his home in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on January 15, 1987. He was one of our most interested members, and we shall miss him. He is survived by his wife, the former Constance Scott, and five children: A. Dale Sparks, Jr., Diane Thomas, Janice Dempsey, Mary Norwood, and Richard Sparks.
Albert Dale Sparks was born December 12, 1923, and was a son of William A. and Hazel (Bixby) Sparks. His paternal grandparents were William and Jane (Lakes) Sparks, natives of Jackson County, Kentucky. (See page 1656 of the June 1974 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 86, for further details of this branch of the Sparks family.) We extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Mr. Sparks.
DEATH TAKES PAUL REED SPARKS
It is with deep regret that we record the death of Paul Reed Sparks who died on April 27, 1987, at his home in South Boston, Virginia. He was one of our earliest members. He is survived by his wife, the former Margaret Cornwell; also two sons, Dr. Paul C. Sparks and John Sparks, and four grandchildren.
Dr. Sparks was born February 25, 1908, at Burlington, New Jersey, and was a son of Edgar Reed and Addie Julia (Everest) Sparks. Edgar Reed Sparks was a son of Nelson Woodward Sparks and a grandson of Howell H. Sparks, both natives of Salem County, New Jersey. (See page 760 of the September 1963 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 43, for further details about this branch of the Sparks family. We extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Dr. Sparks.
DEATH TAKES EVA J. WILLIAMSON
It is with deep regret that we report the death on December 5, 1987, of Eva J. Williamson (Mrs. Edwin H.). Mrs. Williamson had been a most generous supporter of the Association since she first joined it in 1958. born January 5, 1918, in Cullman, Alabama, she was a daughter of Joseph T. and Carrie Josephine (Brewer) Gay. Her maternal grandmother was Medora Waddell (Sparks) Brewer (1859-1937), daughter of James Martin and Lula Virginia (Blance) Sparks. Photographs of James Martin and Lula Virginia appeared on page 362 of the Quarterly, Whole No. 25, March 1959. We extend our sympathy to Mrs. Williamson's husband and four children: John, Edwin, Joyce, and Janet.
Whole Number 142
DEATH TAKES HUGH F. COOK
It is with regret that we record the death of Hugh F. Cook who died on November 30, 1987, at the Cape Cod [Massachusetts] Hospital after a long illness. He was the husband of our long-time generous member, Lurana (Higgins) Cook. He is also survived by a son, Charles A. Cook, and a daughter, Dr. Evlin L. Kinney.
Hugh Francis Cook was born August 26, 1914, at Carmel, California, and was a son of Leon Leslie and Lura Inis (Scott) Cook. He was active in the historical and genealogical societies of the Cape Cod area of Massachusetts. For further details about this branch of the family, see the September 1979 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 107.
We extend our sympathy to his wife and to his children.
DEATH TAKES ELAINE WATERS SPARKS
We regret to report the death of Mrs. Elaine Waters Sparks, widow of Thomas Elihugh Sparks (see the Quarterly of December 1965, Whole No. 52, p. 856). Mrs. Sparks died on December 5, 1987, in Runge, Texas. She was born November 27, 1903, in Anniston, Calhoun County, Alabama, the eldest child of Burton Lee Waters and Elizabeth Enoree Fitzgerald. Funeral services were held at the Rhodes Chapel, Runge, Texas, and interment was in the Runge Cemetery beside her husband and eldest son, S2c Burt Monroe Sparks, who was killed in action in the South Pacific in 1942. Left to mourn her passing is one son, Major Gerald H. Sparks, USAF Retired; and four daughters: Mrs. Rose Higgs, Mrs. Norma Deal, Mrs. Ena Lay, and Mrs. Joyce Wright. There are also eleven grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.
Whole Number 143
DEATH TAKES RITA M. PIERCE
by Paul E. Sparks
It is with a great deal of personal sadness that we record the death of a longtime member, Rita M. Pierce, who passed away on May 10, 1988, at her home in El Paso, Illinois. We exchanged many letters with her over the years which dealt with her branch of the Sparks family, and we frequently reminded each other that we had a common Sparks ancestor who died in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1749--thus we were "cousins."
Rita Maxine Pierce was born February 26, 1909, in El Paso and was a daughter of Harry and Emma (Spurgeon) Pierce and a granddaughter of David and 1.2.5.10.1.8.2 Sarah (Sparks) Pierce. Her branch of the family left Frederick County, Maryland, ca. 1773 and settled in Washington County, Pennsylvania. From there they went to Indiana and then to Fulton County, Illinois, ca. 1844. An obituary for Rita's sister, Minnie Mae (Pierce) Huffer, appeared on page 2673 of the Quarterly for September 1984, Whole No. 127.
Rita taught junior high school history in the Springfield, Illinois, area and had a special interest in American history. She was a capable genealogist. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of El Paso, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Eastern Star. She is survived by a sister, Besse (Pierce) Moore of Chicago.
We extend our sympathy to her sister and her other relatives. (For further details of this branch of the Sparks family, see the March 1984 issue, Whole No. 125 and the June 1984 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 126.)
Whole Number 146
DEATH TAKES ERNESTINE (ERNST) SEITER
We regret to report the death on January 18, 1989, of a most loyal member of the Association, Alace Ernestine (Ernst) Seiter, who passed away at her home in Lexington, Missouri. She was an avid genealogist and contributed a great deal of information to the Association about Sparkses across America. She is survived by a niece and nephew to whom we extend our sympathy.
Mrs. Seiter spent her lifetime in professional education. She taught in elementary schools at Moberly, Missouri; in junior and senior high schools at Higginsville, Missouri; at the University of Missouri and the University of Wyoming; and she ended her professional career after teaching 22 years in the Lexington Public Schools. She will probably be best remembered, however, for helping deserving students through high school and college. She maintained scholarships at the University of Missouri and Notre Dame University, and she left a considerable part of her estate for the endowment of scholarships at the Albany (Missouri) High School and the library of the University of Missouri.
Ernestine Seiter was born February 29, 1904, at Albany, Missouri, and was a daughter of Charles and Mary Alace (Sparks) Ernst. On the Sparks side of her ancestry, her grandparents were William P. and Minerva (Harding) Sparks, and her great-grandparents were Hamlet and Elizabeth (Cheesman) Sparks. For further details of this branch of the Sparks family, see the June 1973, December 1974, and December 1985 issues of the Quarterly, Whole Nos. 82, 88, and 132 respectively.
ASA HILL SPARKS DIES
We regret to report the death of Asa Hill Sparks who passed away on February 3, 1989, at his home in Nashville, Tennessee. He was a prominent minister of the Church of the Nazarene and had pastored churches in Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.
Asa Hill Sparks was born in 1913 and was a son of Asa Garfield and Motie May (Applegate) Sparks. His branch of the Sparks family was headed by Thomas Sparks (1766-1837) who came from Surry County, North Carolina, to Lawrence County, Kentucky, ca. 1820. Thomas Sparks was a son of William and Ann Sparks who came to North Carolina from Frederick County, Maryland, ca. 1765.
Brother Sparks (as he was called by many who knew him) is survived by his wife, the former Pansy V. Cooper; two sons, Dr. Asa Howard Sparks and Dr. Jonathan D. Sparks; and a daughter, Mrs. Martha M. Trau. We extend our smypathy to them and their families.
DEATH TAKES EVERETT L. SPARKS
It is with deep regret that we report the death of Everett L. Sparks who passed away on March 6, 1988, at Maryville, Illinois. He was a most ardent member of the Association and made many valuable contributions to our knowledge of persons named SPARKS across America. He is survived by his wife, Muriel; a son, Denton; two daughters, Michelle Sparks and Leslie Mae Fincher; a brother, Grover; and three sisters, Nellie Sparks, Clara Backensto, and Thelma Crews.
Everett was well-known for his knowledge of the history of early southern Illinois, with its historic caves and legends of Indians and early explorers. He was also a writer and had just completed a book about the legendary Piasa bird paintings on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. It will be published posthumously under the title, In Search of the Piasa Bird.
Everett Lloyd Sparks was born February 1, 1918, in Madison County, Illinois, and was a son of Uella Earl and Nellie (Brooker) Sparks. His paternal grandparents were William Martin and Frances R. (Burch) Sparks. William Martin Sparks was a son of William and Nancy (Tate) Sparks and a grandson of Hardy and Susannah (Brown) Sparks, natives of North Carolina. (For further details of this branch of the family, see the September 1955 and the March 1969 issues of the Quarterly, Whole Nos. 11 and 65, respectively.)
We extend our sympathy to the members of Everett's family. Members of the family have made a generous contribution to the Association in his memory.
Whole Number 147
DEATH TAKES LORENE (SPARKS) DAY
It is with deep regret that we record the death of Lorene (Sparks) Day who passed away on October 8, 1988, at her home in Morehead, Kentucky, at the age of 82 years. Her husband, Robert B. Day, died just two months earlier in August 1988. She is survived by a nephew, Richard Staggs, of Morehead, to whom we extend our sympathy.
Lorene (Sparks) Day was born in 1906 in Boyd County, Kentucky, to Ulysses and Mary (Thompson) Sparks, natives of Elliott County, Kentucky. Her grandparents were George W. and Louisa (Creech) Sparks, and her great-grandparents were William and Mary (Lyon) Sparks. See page 101 of the December 1955 issue of the Sparks Quarterly, Whole No. 12, for further details of this branch of the Sparks family.
DEATH TAKES CHARLES W. STEEPLES
It is with deep regret that we report the death of Charles W. Steeples who passed away on July 9, 1988, at National City, California. He had been an active member of the Association for several years and was quite interested in his SPARKS ancestry. He is survived by his wife, Willa, and two daugh ters: Joyce Usquiano and Christine Coelho. We extend our sympathy to them.
Charles Wilmer Steeples was born April 23, 1916, in Missouri and was a son of Wilmer and Maria Hulda (Choulett) Steeples. His paternal grandparents were Benjamin F. and Amanda A. (Sparks) Steeples. For further information about this branch of the Sparks family, see the March 1977 issue of The Sparks Quarterly, Whole No. 97.
DEATH TAKES JAMES F. SPARKS
It is with deep regret that we report the death of James F. Sparks, a longtime and generous supporter of the Association, who passed away on May 6, 1988, at Lewiston, Idaho. He is survived by his wife, Ruby, and several relatives. His first wife, the former Anna Laura Calhoun, pre-deceased him in 1969.
James Franklin Sparks was born January 2, 1901, in Roane County, Tennessee, and was a son of John Marny and Sarah Guinn (Williams) Sparks. His paternal grandparents were David Carson and Araminta Angeline (Wilson) Sparks, also natives of Roane County. We extend our sympathy to his wife and relatives. [For further information about the branch of the Sparks family to which James belonged, see the June 1978 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 102.
Whole Number 149
DEATH TAKES CECILE (SPARKS) CURSON
It is with regret that we report the death of one of our most interested members, Cecile (Sparks) Curson, who passed away on November 16, 1989, at her home in Monroe, Michigan. She is survived by her husband, Carl F. Curson; two sons, Charles W. Curson and Dennis C. Curson; and a daughter, Cathy Ann (Curson) Spalding, all of Monroe.
1.2.1.2.1.6.2.10.9.x.y Cecile Sparks was born December 2, 1919, at Sparta, Tennessee, and was a daughter of 1.2.1.2.1.6.2.10.9.x William Samuel Heston and Loretta Ann (Robinson) Sparks, both natives of Putnam County, Tennessee. William S. H. Sparks was a son of 1.2.1.2.1.6.2.10.9 Joseph Z. Johnson and Mary Frances (Stewart) Sparks and
a grandson of 1.2.1.2.1.6.2.10 William and Rachel Delina (Lee) Sparks.
(See the September 1982 issue of the Quarterly Whole No. 119, for further details of this branch of the Sparks family.)
We extend our sympathy to her husband, her children, and to other members of the family.
DEATH TAKES ELIZABETH (SPARKS) McCANN
We regret to report the death of one of our most loyal and generous members, Elizabeth Joyce (Sparks) McCann, who passed away on August 21, 1989, at her home in Sun City, Arizona. She is survived by her husband, William R. McCann, and four sons, W. R., Jr. of Springfield, Virginia; Michael E., of Brookings, South Dakota; Charles, of Lincoln, Nebraska; and James J., of Denver, Colorado.
Elizabeth Joyce Sparks was born January 20, 1918, in Austin, Texas, and was a daughter of Earl Sylvester and Harriet (Clements) Sparks. Her paternal grandparents were David Francis and Mary Louisa (Bryan) Sparks, and her great-grandparents were Joel and Mary (Shatley) Sparks. (See the September 1961 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 35, for the bounty land application file of Joel Sparks for his service in the War of 1812.) We extend our sympathy to her husband and to her sons.
MARY PEARL (SPARKS) BILBREY DIES AT 102 YEARS
We regret to report the death of one of our oldest members, Mary Pearl (Sparks) Bilbrey, who died at Eureka, Illinois, on February 7, 1990, at the age of 102 years. Her husband, Ira Bilbrey, died on June 7, 1979. She is survived by a son, Cecil Bilbrey, and a daughter, Gladys (Bubrey) Punke.
Mary Pearl Sparks was born October 29, 1887, in Woodford County, Illinois, and was a daughter of Amos and Elizabeth (Pearson) Sparks. Her paternal grandparents were Asa E gbert and Amanda (Van Scyoc) Sparks, early settlers in Woodford County.
We extend our sympathy to her son and daughter and to other members of the family.
(For a more detailed account of this branch of the Sparks family, see the March 1962 and December 1988 issues of the Quarterly, Whole Nos. 37 and 144, respectively.)
DEATH TAKES JOHN SPARKS
It is with regret that we record the death of longtime member John Sparks, who passed away on September 19, 1989, in Davenport, Iowa. He was one of our most enthusiastic and generous members. He is survived by his wife, Leota (Dickinson) Sparks; a daughter, Sharon Mullan, of McLean, Virginia; and a son, Curtis Dickinson, of Mollusk, Virginia.
John Sparks was born October 29, 1915, in Lafayette County, Missouri, and was a son of John and Clarinda H. (Schley) Sparks. His paternal grandparents were Andrew J. and Emma E. (Zentmyer) Sparks, and his great-grandparents were Joel and Mary (Shatley) Sparks. (See the September 1961 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 35, for the bounty land application file of Joel Sparks for his service in the War of 1812.)
We extend our sympathy to his wife and to other family members.
Page 3621
Whole Number 150
DEATH TAKES IRA ORAN SPARKS
We regret to report the death of Ira Oran Sparks, a longtime member of the Association, who died on December 18, 1989, at Russellville, Arkansas. He is survived by his wife, Dixie (Ross) Sparks; two sons, James Ira Sparks and Billie Earl Sparks; and three brothers, Ellis Sparks, Emmett Sparks, and Argie Sparks.
Ira Oran Sparks was born February 2, 1915, in Pope County, Arkansas, and was the eleventh of thirteen children born to James Matthias and Elizabeth Rebeccah (Simpson) Sparks. His paternal grandparents were George Washington and Sarah Jane (Turner) Sparks, and his great-grandparents were Leonard and Zeriah (Sparks) Sparks. See the September 1976 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 95, for further information about this branch of the Sparks family.
We extend our sympathy to his widow and other members of his family.
Page 3624
Whole Number 150
DEATH TAKES JANIBELLE (SPARKS) DAUGHERTY
It is with regret that we record the death of a long-time member, Janibelle Daugherty, who passed away on August 17, 1989, at her home in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is survived by several nieces and nephews, including Mary Lee Sparks Konz, who is also a member of the Association. We extend our sympathy to the survivors.
1.2.1.4.1.1.3.7.x Janibelle Sparks was born in August 1894 in Clark County, Indiana, and was a daughter of 1.2.1.4.1.1.3.7 Nathan and Fannie Belle (Pile) Sparks. Her paternal grandparents were 1.2.1.4.1.1.3 Levi and Mary Rebecca Brooks (Godwin) Sparks, natives of Queen Annes County, Maryland. (See the December 1983 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 124, for further information about this branch of the Sparks family.
Page 3750
Whole Number 153
DEATH OF DONALD WAYNE SPARK
We have been saddened to learn of the untimely death of a member of the Sparks Family Association, Donald Wayne Sparks, who died on May 27, 1990, at Scottsboro, Alabama. He was a victim of amytropic lateral sclerosis and was only thirty years of age. He is survived by his wife, Rosalie; two daughters, Desiree Sparks and Marissa Sparks; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leon Sparks; two brothers, Jeff Sparks and Stanley Sparks; and four sisters, Sybil Sparks, ∫parks, Barbara Sparks, and Denise Sparks.
Wayne (as he was called) was born August 1, 1959, in Jackson County, Alabama, and he was a descendant of Zarah and Luranna (Horn) Sparks, through their son, Zerah Sparks, Jr. An article about Zerah Sparks, Sr. and his descendants is being prepared for a future issue of the Quarterly Whole No. 155.
We extend our sympathy to Wayne's wife, children and the other members of his family.
Page 3722-3724
Whole Number 153
DEATH CLAIMS DEWEY COCHRAN, JR.
It is with regret that we record the death of Dewey Cochran, Jr. who passed away on June 12, 1990, at the Kings Daughters Hospital in Ashland, Kentucky, following a sudden illness. He is survived by his wife, Betty; a daughter, Susan; a step-daughter, Mary Beth; and three sisters: Catherine, Charlene, and Anna Belle. We extend our sympathy to the members of his family.
Dewey Cochran was born May 29, 1933, in Boyd County, Kentucky, and was a son of Dewie and Laura Belle (McKenzie) Cochran. His maternal grandparents were Sargent Newton and Arizona (Sparks) McKenzie and his great-grandparents were Tillman and Susie E. (Murry) Sparks of Johnson County, Kentucky. His great-great-grandparents were Elisha and Susanna (Pridemore) Sparks, and his great-great-great-grandparents were Thomas and Diana (Wilcox) Sparks who came from Surry County, North Carolina, to Lawrence County, Kentucky, ca. 1821.
DEATH TAKES CATHERINE (COCHRAN) BROOKS
It is with regret that we record the death of Catherine (Cochran) Brooks who died on November 25, 1990, at Catlettsburg, Kentucky. She is survived by two sisters, Anna Belle (Cochran) Dowdy and Charlene (Cochran) Salyers. Her husband, Charles E. Brooks, Died in 1988. We extend our sympathy to the members of her family.
Catherine (Cochran) Brooks was born August 27, 1921, in Boyd County, Kentucky, and was a daughter of Dewie and Laura Belle (McKenzie) Cochran. See the obituary of Mrs. Brooks's brother, Dewey Cochran, Jr., above, for further details of her Sparks ancestry.
DEATH TAKES FRANKLIN D. SPARKS
Great-grandson of Charles Sparks (1808-1862)
It is with regret that we report the death of long-time member, Franklin D. Sparks, who passed away on November 19, 1990, at the Mt. Carmel Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. He is survived by his wife, Chloe-Anna; a son, Ed Sparks; a daughter, Betsy: a brother, Ernest; and a sister, Beatrice. He was an independent IGA grocer, a Baptist, and a Mason.
120.3.1.1 Franklin D. Sparks was born March 9, 1907, at Sunbury, Ohio, and was a son of 120.3.1 Frank E. and Grace Pearl (Clements) Sparks. His grandfather was 120.3 Eli J. Sparks, and his great-grandfather was 120. Charles Sparks. (See the Editor's Note below for further details about this branch of the family.) We extend our sympathy to the family of Mr. Sparks.
[Editor's Note: Charles Sparks, great-grandfather of Franklin D. Sparks, was born 4 February 1808, according to the family Bible records. Information given on the 1850 census of Delaware County, Ohio, showed his birthplace as Ohio. He was a cordwainer, or shoemaker, and was living in Berkshire Township. He was married on Christmas Day, 1834, to Sarah Carpenter. She had been born on December 16, 1811, in Ohio. Charles died on May 7, 1862, and Sarah died on June 16, 1884. According to information from descendants and from census records, they had five children.
120.1 Charles M. Sparks, Jr., son of 120. Charles and Sarah (Carpenter) Sparks, was born on October 9, 1835, probably in Delaware County, Ohio. When the 1850 census was taken of that county, he was shown as 14 years of age.
120.2 Sarah Jane Sparks, daughter of Charles and Sarah (Carpenter) Sparks, was born on May 11, 1841, in Ohio. She was 9 years old when the 1850 census was taken.
120.3 Eli J. Sparks, son of Charles and Sarah (Carpenter) Sparks, was born April 16, 1844, in Ohio, and was 6 years old when the 1850 census was taken. He was married twice. His first marriage was to Jane Isadore Stockwell on July 20, 1873. She was born November 9, 1853, and was a daughter of Hosea and M. Delia (Atley) Stockwell. She died sometime during the period between 1920 and 1930 at Sunbury, Ohio. Eli J. and Jane Isadore (Stockwell) Sparks had two children:
120.3.1 Frank E. Sparks was born April 22, 1874, at Sunbury, Ohio. He married Grace Pearl Clements on May 6, 1906, in Knox County, Ohio. She had been born on May 30, 1884, and was a daughter of Wesley and Mary Etta (Knox) Clements. Frank and Grace had three children:
120.3.1.1 Franklin D. Sparks,
120.3.1.2 Beatrice M. Sparks, and
120.3.1.3 Ernest Sparks.120.3.2 Grace May Sparks, daughter of Eli J. and Jane Isadore (Stockwell) Sparks, was born October 15, 1876, at Sunbury, Ohio. On October 24, 1894, she married Orrie Clark, and they had two children,
120.3.2.1 Frances Marie Clark and
120.3.2.2 Ralph Clark.Eli J. Sparks married (second) Elsie Schlagle ca. 1893 and they moved to Lewisville, Indiana. He and Elsie had two children,
120.3.2.3 Clarence W. Sparks and
120.3.2.4 Maude W. Sparks.Eli died about 1920 at the home of his son, Frank E. Sparks, in Mt. Liberty, Ohio.
120.4 James C. Sparks, son of Charles and Sarah (Carpenter) Sparks, was born ca. 1846 in Ohio, and was 4 years of age when the 1850 census was taken. He served in Company B, 187th Regiment Ohio Infantry in the Civil War. (See page 3736 of this issue of the Quarterly for an abstract of his Civil War pension file.)
After returning from the war, he married Sarah A. (Smith) Russell on July 16, 1867, at Raymond, Ohio. She had been born January 12, 1839, in Fairfield County, Ohio, and was the widow of Henry Russell who had died in 1861. James C. Sparks died on July 2, 1896, in Union County, Ohio. Sarah A. Sparks died on July 7, 1928, in Richwood, Ohio. We have not learned whether they had any children.120.4 John Sparks, son of Charles and Sarah (Carpenter) Sparks, was born July 11, 1852, in Delaware County. He is known to have married, but the name of his wife has not been learned. We have no further information about him.
Page 3824
Whole Number 155
DEATH TAKES ANNA M. BRADLEY
It is with deep regret that we report the death of long-time member, Anna (Musser) Bradley, who passed away at her home in Ashland, Kentucky, on July 31, 1991. She had been a member of the Association since its formation in 1953. Her husband, Arlie J. Bradley, died on July 20, 1971. She is survived by a daughter, Suzanne (Bradley) Boggs of Catlettsburg, Kentucky.
Anna Mary Musser was born April 25, 1905, in Ashland, Kentucky, and was a daughter of James Alpha and Laura Belle (Sparks) Musser. Her maternal grandparents were Fred and Catherine (Kegley) Sparks, natives of Elliott County, Kentucky. (See the December 1955 and June 1989 issues of the Quarterly, Whole Nos. 12 and 146, respectively, for further details of this branch of the Sparks family.
We extend our sympathy to Suzanne (Bradley) Boggs and her family.
Page 3883-3884
Whole Number 156
DR. BERNARD I. SPARKS DIES
It is with deep regret that we record the death of Dr. Bernard I. Sparks, Jr., who passed away at his home in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 13, 1991. He was a longtime member of the Association, and we shall miss his enthusiastic support. He is survived by his wife, the former Carolyn Reynolds; a son, Bernard I. Sparks, III; a daughter, Susan (Sparks) Passons; and a sister, Jean H. Sparks.
Bernard Iverson Sparks, Jr. was born June 14, 1913, at Middlesboro, Kentucky, to Bernard I. and Mabel (Hutcheson) Sparks. His paternal grandparents were John Wesley and Lucy (Craig) Sparks; his great-grandparents were Alexander Iverson and Mary Ann (Calvert) Sparks; and his 2nd-great-grandparents were 21.1.5 Henry and Lucy (Clark) Sparks, early settlers of Owen County, Kentucky.
We extend our sympathy to Mrs. Sparks and to other family members.
[For further details of this branch of the Sparks family, see the June 1956,June 1957, and December 1960 issues of the Quarterly, Whole Nos. 14,18, and 32, respectively.]
DEATH TAKES OZELL D. SPARKS
It is with deep regret that we report the death of Ozell D. Sparks who passed away on May 20, 1991, at Rainsville, Alabama. He and his wife, the former Pluma Taylor, were most interested in helping to preserve the records of persons named Sparks.
Ozell D. Sparks was born October 14, 1905, in DeKalb County, Alabama, and was a son of Charles Russell and Dora (Culpepper) Sparks. His paternal grandparents were Zerah and Mary Jane (Windsor) Sparks.
In addition to his wife, Ozell is survived by three sons: D. L. Sparks, Ozell J. Sparks, and Jim Sparks; and one daughter, Lovell (Sparks) Thomas.
We extend our sympathy to Mrs. Sparks and to her children.
[For further details about this branch of the Sparks family, see the Sep1991 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 155.]
DEATH TAKES IONE (SPARKS) RAY
It is with deep regret that we record the death of Ione (Sparks) Ray, a charter member of The Sparks Family Association, who passed away on May 4, 1991, at Louisville, Kentucky. She was born in April 1900 and was a daughter of William H. and Viola Jane (Harmon) Sparks. Her grandparents were George W. and Nancy (Shortridge) Sparks, and her great-grandparents were William Harrison and Eliza (Hosea) Sparks. Her 2nd-great-grandfather, Stephen Sparks, was a son of James Sparks, a pioneer settler of southern Indiana.
Several articles have been published in the Quarterly about this branch of the Sparks family, among which are the September 1954 issue, Whole No. 7, and the December 1963 issue, Whole No. 44. We extend our sympathy to the surviving members of her family.
BLANCHE (SPARKS) HOLMBERG DIES
It is with a personal degree of sadness that we report the death of Blanche (Sparks) Holmberg who passed away on November 16, 1991, at Louisville, Kentucky. She was born February 1, 1916, in Elliott County, Kentucky--a daughter of David Ballard and Tina (Nickles) Sparks; a granddaughter of John Elliott and Elizabeth (Boggs) Sparks; and a great-granddaughter of Nelson and Margaret (Mauk) Sparks. (See the June 1989 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 146, for further details about this branch of the Sparks family. Blanche was most helpful in the preparation of that article.) We extend our sympathy to the surviving members of her family.
Page 3911
Whole Number 157
DEATH TAKES EARLE M. SPARKS
We have just learned that one of our most loyal members, Earle M. Sparks, passed away on October 16, 1991, at Easton, Maryland. He is survived by his wife, Doris A. (Nixdort) Sparks; three sons: Robert A., William E., and Earle M., Jr.; and three daughters: Bonnie A. Blunt, Patricia L. Sparks, and Barbara J. Sparks.
Earle Malone Sparks was born August 24, 1908, at Bridgeport, Maryland, and was a son of William E. and Nancy Mae Sparks. He was a co-owner of the Sparks Brothers Farm Supply Company at Ridgely, Maryland. He was a trustee of the Bridgetown United Methodist Church at Ridgely.
We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife and other family members.
DEATH TAKES WILLIAM E. SPARKS
It is with deep regret that we report the death of William E. Sparks, who passed away on August 17, 1991, in Sacramento, California. He was a long?time member of the Association, and we shall miss him. He is survived by his wife, Eva; a son, William Harry Sparks, a stepdaughter, Beverly Sue Kulink; and a stepson, Warren R. Hart.
William Earl Sparks was born November 17, 1918, and was a son of Harry Spooner and Lillian (Black) Sparks and a grandson of William Palmer and Anna Minerva (Harding) Sparks." For further details of this branch of the family, see the June 1973 and December 1985 issues of the Quarterly, Whole Nos. 82 and 132, respectively.
We extend our sincere sympathy to his wife and other family members.
Page 3928
ARTHUR J. DHALLIN, JR. DIES
We have been saddened to learn of the death of Arthur J. Dhallin, Jr., who passed away on February 17, 1991, at Sacramento, California. He is survived by a son, Arthur J. Dhallin, III; a daughter, Joanne Stark; and three sisters: Mildred Daum, Dorothy Steiner, and Elaine Birdwell.
Arthur J. Dhallin, Jr. was born July 5, 1915, at Churchill, Idaho, and was a son of Arthur J. and Drusy E. (Rogers) Dhallin. His maternal grand?parents were John M. and Lavinia Jane (Smith) Rogers, and his great-grand?parents were Samuel E. and Elizabeth (Sparks) Rogers. For further details about this branch of the Sparks family, see the Quarterly of June 1985, Whole No. 130.
We extend our deepest sympathy to family members.
Whole Number 159
DEATH TAKES LAWRENCE C. SPARKS, JR.
We have just received the news of the death of Lawrence C. Sparks, Jr. who passed away on October 15, 1991, at Sheridan, Indiana. He was a longtime and most generous member of the Association and spent much of his time researching his family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy F. (Glenn) Sparks. He leaves a son, Lawrence C. Sparks, III and a daughter, Sharon A. (Sparks) Cole. We extend our sympathy to his children....
Page 4044
Whole Number 160
DEATH TAKES ELIZABETHE (SPARKS) MARES
It is with deep regreat that we report the death of one of our most loyal and generous members, Elizabethe (Sparks) Mares, who died on October 22, 1992, at Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Elizabethe Sparks was born September 13, 1914, to William Everett and Nellie (Boyd) Sparks of Grand Junction, Colorado. She became a nurse and served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. Her first husband, Melvin Erickson, died in 1972. Her second husband, Frank Mares, died in 1982.
Elizabethe is survived by a step-daughter, Louise Forbes, and a brother, Charles E. Sparks, Sr. We extend our sympathy to her family.
Page 4056
Whole Number 160
DEATH TAKES FRANK B. RUSSELL
It is with deep regret that we report the death of Frank B. Russell on November 1, 1992, at his home in Moorestown, New Jersey. He was a long-time member of the Association, and we shall miss his enthusiastic support.
Frank B. Russell was born in 1909 at Wisemantown, Kentucky, and was a descendant of Charles and Martha (Sparks) Russell of Surry County, North Carolina. Charles Sparks was born in Surry County in 1800, and Martha Sparks was born there in 1801. Charles died in Greenup County, Kentucky, in 1873; Martha died in Estill County, Kentucky, in 1883.
Frank is survived by his wife of fifty years, Roberta (Parks) Russell, and by two daughters, Rosemary (Russell) Leyland and Joanne (Russell) Johnson.
We extend our sincere sympathy to his wife and children.
Page 4130
Whole Number 162
DEATH TAKES VIRGIL L. WALKER
We have been saddened to learn of the death of one of our most enthusiastic and helpful members, Virgil L. Walker, who passed away on March 14, 1993, at Buchanan Dam, Texas.
Virgil was born June 30, 1920, at Ft. Worth, Texas, and was a son of Virgil and Bessie (Graham) Walker. He was a great-great-grandson of Lydia Sparks who married Friend Boatright ca. 1824. She was a daughter of Absalom and Lydia (Elsberry) Sparks. (See pp. 2443-48 of the September 1982 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 119, for further details of this branch of the family.
Virgil is survived by his wife, the former Doreen H. Walters, two step-sons and two step-daughters, and a brother.
We extend our sympathy to his wife and other family members.
Page 4133
Whole Number 162
DEATH TAKES WILLIAM THOMAS [SPARKY] SPARKS
AND
BLANCHE I. (SCHOOLEY) SPARKS
We have learned only recently of the deaths of two of the most loyal and enthu?siastic supporters of our Association, W. T. ["Sparky" I Sparks and his wife, the former Blanche Irene Schooley. "Sparky" died on March 18, 1993, and Blanche died on June 10, 1993. Funeral services were conducted in the First Presbyterian Church of Odessa, Missouri, where both were members. They were buried in the Odessa Cemetery.
William Thomas Sparks was born August 7, 1912, at Odessa, Missouri, and was a son of William Walker and Lou Etta (Proctor) Sparks. His paternal grand?parents were John Christian Sparks (1815-1896) and Sarah M. (Cobb) Sparks (1831-1882). John Christian Sparks was a great-grandson of the William Sparks (born ca.1725, died 1801/02) who was featured in the Quarterly of June 1991, Whole No. 154, pp. 3751-98.
"Sparky" was a longtime funeral director of the Husman-Sparks Funeral Home in Odessa.
Blanche Irene (Schooley) Sparks was born March 24, 1911, near Robbins, Missouri, and was a daughter of Dr. R. C. and Lena (Morehead) Schooley. She taught school in Odessa for nearly forty years.
Both "Sparky" and Blanche held membership in civic and social organizations too numerous to mention, and both were vital members of their community. They celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary on January 17, 1992. They are survived by a daughter, Brenda (Sparks) Craven, and two grandsons, Lucas an Micah Craven.
We extend our sympathy to Mrs. Craven and to other family members.
DEATH TAKES MELVA (SPARKS) BIDLACK
Your editor has the painful task of recording here the death of his beloved wife, Melva Helen Sparks. She died at our home in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on April 19, 1993. Melva had been diagnosed in late November 1992 as being terminally ill with colon cancer.
Although not a "paying-member" of The Sparks Family Association, Melva had contributed to the Quarterly in countless anonymous ways over the past forty years, from her proofreading and correcting to helping in the stuffing and mailing. Furthermore, it was only because her maiden name was Sparks that your editor developed an interest in the Sparks family's history.
Melva Helen Sparks was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on May 17, 1918, the only daughter of Oral A. and Alice E. (Mace) Sparks. She was a 4th great-grand?daughter of the William Sparks (born ca. 1725 in Queen Annes County, Maryland, died in 1801/02 in Surry County, North Carolina) whose life story was featured in the Quarterly of June 1991, Whole No. 154.
Melva was reared on the family farm near Clio, Iowa. She and your editor met as students at Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa, in 1939, and we were married in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1942, while I was stationed nearby at Camp Robinson, in World War II. We have four children: Stanley (wife, Nancy), Martha (husband, John Russell), Christopher (wife, Linda), and Harold (wife, Martha). They, and our five grandchildren, Lisa, Matthew, Christopher, Sarah, and Amanda, helped us celebrate our golden wedding anniversary last June, none of us apprehending that it would be our last anniversary. Melva's two brothers survive, J. Gerald Sparks and the Rev. A. Harold Sparks.
I should like to express my gratitude to the many members of the Association who have expressed their sympathy to me, and I thank each of you for your patience in accepting my delay in publishing the 1993 issues of the Quarterly.
Whole Number 162
DEATH TAKES DIXIE (ROSS) SPARKS
We have been saddened to learn of the death of Dixie (Ross) Sparks who passed away on June 8, 1993, at the St. Mary's Medical Center in Russeliville, Arkansas She was the widow of Ira Ora Sparks who died on December 18, 1989. She had continued her husband's membership in the Association and was a most enthusias?tic and loyal member until her death.
Dixie Ross was born January 13, 1917, and was a daughter of George Lee and Ellie (Dickey) Ross. She is survived by two sons, James Ira Sparks and Billie Earl Sparks.
We extend our sympathy to the members of her family.
(For further information about the branch of the Sparks family to which her hus band belonged, see the issues of the Quarterly of September 1976 and June 1990, Whole Nos. 95 and 150, respectively.)
Page 4189
Whole Number 163
DEATH TAKES JAMES RICHARD SPARKS
We regret to report that James Richard Sparks, who joined The Sparks Family Association in 1954, died on September 30, 1993, in Columbus, Ohio; he was ninety-six years old. His generous support of our Association extended over nearly four decades, and we shall miss him.
Following his retirement in 1961, James Richard Sparks made a "genealogical tour" across the United States, tracing the migration of his branch of the Sparks family from Maryland to North Carolina, then to Missouri, and on to Kansas. He shared his genealogical and historical research with the Association, including a photograph which he found of his grandfather, Richard M. Sparks (1829-1893). We used this on the cover of the Quarterly of December 1989. (In that issue, we traced the history of William Sample Sparks [born ca.1700, died ca.1765] who was a fourth great-grandfather of James Richard Sparks.)
James was born February 21, 1897, in the large house that had been built by his grandfather, Richard M Sparks, located about one mile east of Medicine Lodge, Kansas. His parents were Clarence G. and Clara Myrtle (Huffaker) Sparks. He was married on July 14, 1920, to Alice Bobek (1897-1960), and they were the parents of two children, Phyllis Jean Sparks, born in 1905, and Richard James Sparks, born in 1910.
A photograph that James Richard Sparks shared with us is reproduced above. Taken about 1906, it shows James Richard at about the age of thirteen with his younger sister, Helen Jewell Sparks. It was taken in Wichita, Kansas.
Page 4235
Whole Number 164
DEATH TAKES SHERWOOD E. SPARKS
It is with a great personal sadness that we record the death of one of the Association's charter members, Sherwood E. Sparks, who passed away on November 10, 1993, at Beckley, West Virginia. He was among our most loyal and generous members and was always ready to support the Association's projects.
Sherwood E. Sparks was born July 25, 1909, at Chatteroy, West Virginia, and was a grandson of Colby and Martha (Chaffin) Sparks. He was a most successful coal owner and operator in a highly competitive industry, rising from a miner to the top of the profession. He was also quite generous with his good fortune and shared it with many worthy causes.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, the former Martha Belle Short, and by a sister, Freda Burchette. We extend our sympathy to them and to other members of their families.
[Editor's Note: For further details about this branch of the Sparks family, see the December 1955, No. 12; June 1969, No. 66; September 1987, No. 139; and the December 1991, No. 156, issues of the Quarterly.
Page 4236
Whole Number 164
DEATH CLAIMS CLARICE (SPARKS) BURRIS
We regret to report the death of a most helpful member of the Association, Clarice (Sparks) Burris, who passed away on March 29, 1993, at her home in Corpus Christ!, Texas, at the age of eighty-four.
Clarice Sparks was born September 11, 1908, at Sardis, Texas, and was a daughter of Enoch Bonner and Ella (Reagan) Sparks. Her paternal grandparents were Newell Crane and Laura (Fetzer) Sparks, and her great-grand- father was Stephen Franklin Sparks, a pioneer settler of Texas who fought there in the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836 in the Texas-Mexican War. Clarice was predeceased by her husband. She is survived by a son, Ron A. Burris. We extend our deepest sympathy to her son and other family members.
Page 4401 & 4406
Whole Number 168
DEATH TAKES NORA (KRING) FLOWERS
We have just learned that Nora (Kring) Flowers, one of our loyal members, died on May 28, 1993, at San Antonio, Texas. She was 94 years of age. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Dorothy Morrison and Mrs. Norene Searls; one son, Frank Flowers; one sister, Mrs. Ruth Blakely; and one brother, Woodrow Kring.
Nora Kring was born December 8, 1898, in Yoakum, Texas, and was a daughter of James D. and Ada (Sparks) Kring. Her maternal grandparents were Newell Crane and Laura (Fetzer) Sparks. She married Herbert F. Flowers on November 11, 1916, and they had five children, three of whom they reared to matur- ity. Herbert Flowers died on January 7, 1975, at Waco, Texas.
We extend our sympathy to Mrs. Flowers' children and other family members.
(For further details about this branch of the Sparks family, see the September 1985 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 131, pp. 2775-77.)
DEATH TAKES HENRY S. SPARKS
It is with deep'regret that we record the death of long-time member, Henry S. Sparks who died on March 1, 1994, at Des Moines, Iowa. He was 88 years of age and had been a member of the Association for twenty-two years. He is survived by his wife, Helen; two daughters, Patricia (Sparks) Vincent and Nancy Sparks; and three sons: Ed Sparks, Henry H. Sparks, and Barry Sparks.
Henry Sylvester Sparks was born in 1905 at Connellsville, Missouri, and was a son of Caleb ["Cale"] and Pearly (Goren) Sparks. His paternal grandparents were Sylvester and Hannah Serena (Vincent) Sparks. (See the June 1981 issue of The Sparks Quarterly, No. 114, for further details of this branch of the Sparks family.)
We extend our sympathy to Mrs. Sparks and her children.
DEATH TAKES WILLIAM P. ["BUDDY"] SPARKS
It is with deep regret that we record the death of William Pinckney ["Buddy"] Sparks who died on April 30, 1994, in Florida. He was buried on May 5, 1994, in the Oakland Cemetery at Waco, Texas. His wife, the former Floyd Lucille ["Sis"] Golding, died in December 1993, and a brother, Leonard Call Sparks, died on October 26, 1987. He is survived by four sisters: Mrs. E. C. Mueller (Vivian E.) of Corsicana, Texas; Mrs. A. A. Eakin (Anita V.) of San Antonio, Texas; Mrs. H. E. Eubanks, Jr. (Alean) of Waco, Texas; and Mrs. I. E. McDaniel (Sandra M.) of Port Arthur, Texas.
William Pinckney Sparks, Jr. was born December 11, 1915, at Waco, Texas, the son of William Pinckney, Sr. and Mattie May (Moncrief) Sparks, natives of McLennan County, Texas. His paternal grandparents were 40.5.3 William Pinckney and Victoria Aglentine (Bumgarner) Sparks, the former a native of Lowndes County, Mississippi, and the latter a native of Stewart County, Georgia. This Sparks family came to Texas in 1863, traveling by covered wagon when General Pinckney and Georgiann Maxwell (Stone) Sparks left Choctaw County, Mississippi, with their children:40.5.3.4 William Pinckney Sparks, 40.5.3.3 Medora Henrietta Sparks, 40.5.3.5 Thomas Earl Sparks, and 40.5.3.6 Elizabeth Ann Sparks. They settled at Waco and later moved to Downsville, Texas. (See page 542 of the March 1961 issue of The Sparks Quarterly, Whole No. 33, for further details of this branch of the Sparks family.)
We extend our sympathy to the family of Mr. Sparks.
Page 4436
Whole Number 169
DEATH TAKES JACK D. SPARKS
It is with deep regret that we record the death of Jack D. Sparks on December 22, 1994, at St. Joseph, Michigan. He was one of our most interested and generous members, and his counsel and support will be sadly missed by the officers of the Association. He is survived by his wife, the former Fredda i Sullivan; a son, Jack David Sparks, Jr.; three daughters, Suzanne Sparks, Cinde Party ka, and Katherine Telgarsky; and three brothers. Earl Sparks, Alan Sparks, and Tom Sparks.
Jack David Sparks was born November 24, 1922, in Chicago, Illinois. He was a son of Earl Edwin and Utah Gertrude (Rice) Sparks and a grandson of Noah Webster and Julia Ann (Anderson) Sparks who lived in and around the Hender- son-Hopkins-Webster Counties area of Kentucky in the mid-1800s.
In the June 1986 issue of The Sparks Quarterly, on page 2892, we repro- duced a photograph of Mr. Sparks and presented a biographical sketch. This was occasioned by his being honored by the Wall Street Transcript as the "Best Chief Executive of the Home Appliance Industry." He was then Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Whirlpool Corporation. (Besides the June 1986 issue of the Quarterly, No. 134, see the issue of June 1976, No. 94, for further details of the ancestry of Jack D. Sparks.)
We extend our sympathy to his wife, his children, and to other members of Mr. Sparks's family.
Page 4481
Whole Number 170
DEATH TAKES PAUL MELVIN SPARKS
We regret to record the death of one of our most interested members, Paul Melvin Sparks, who died on July 6, 1994, in Wichita, Kansas. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy (Eddingfield) Sparks; two daughters, Toni (Sparks) Graber, and Shelley (Sparks) Burke; and a son, Jeff Sparks.
Paul Melvin Sparks was born March 3, 1923, at Macksville, Kansas, and was a son of Claude Lovell and Maude Christine (Deffenbaugh) Sparks. His paternal grandparents were James Andrew and Nancy Ann (Heaton) Sparks, and his great-grandparents were David Wallace and Nancy (Marks) Sparks. It is believed, but has not been conclusively proven, that David Wallace Sparks was a son of Andrew Sinnockson and Jane (Templeton) Sparks of New Jersey, Ohio, and Indiana. (See pages 738-741 of the June 1963 issue of the Quarterly, No. 42, for further details of this branch of the family.)
We extend our belated sympathy to his wife, children, and other family members.
Whole Number 171
DEATH TAKES HELEN SPARKS AT AGE 101
It is with a degree of personal sadness that we report the death of one of our Association's charter members, Helen Sparks, who passed away on Febru- ary 11, 1995, at the Victoria Special Care Home in El Cajon, California. She was 101 years of age! Her survivors include a nephew, James Sparks, and a niece, Helen Stutzman.
Helen was born March 24, 1893, in Valentine, Nebraska. She was a daughter of Levi Carlton and Bertha C. (Ludwig) Sparks and a granddaughter of Joseph and Caroline (Flanegin) Sparks. Great-grandparents were Cornelius and Susannah (Stevens) Sparks, pioneer settlers of Berrien County, Michigan. (See the March 1964 and March 1978 issues of the Quarterly, Nos. 45 and 101, respectively, for further details of this branch of the Sparks family.) A special article and photograph appeared in the March 1993 issue of the Quarterly on Helen's 100th birthday.
We extend our sympathy to Helen's nephew and niece and to other members of her family.
Whole Number 172
DEATH TAKES THE REV. JAY B. BUDD
We regret to report that on August 24, 1995, a long-time member of the Association, Jay B. Budd, died at the Mt. Carmel Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He is survived by his wife, Lorene Budd; sons: Leonard Budd, Clair Alien Budd, and Philip Budd; and a daughter, Shirley (Budd) Williams. He was a minister and evangelist in the Church of the Nazarene for many years.
Jay Bernard Budd was born November 23, 1919, at Parsons, Kansas, and was a son of James Floyd and Mabel Lena (Bernard) Budd, and a grandson of Samuel Smith Stores and Rosannah (Fisher) Budd. Paternal great-grandparents were John and Eliza Jane (Sparks) Budd. (See the December 1987 and March 1989 issues of the Quarterly, Nos. 140 and 145, respectively, for further details regarding this branch of the Sparks family.)
We extend our sympathy to Jay's widow and to his children and other family members.
Whole Number 173
DEATH TAKES CHARLES PAUL SPARKS
It is with deep regret that we record the death of a longtime and generous member, Charles Paul Sparks, who passed away on October 16, 1995, at Houston, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Jean Sparks, and two sons, Paul Edward Sparks and Steven Douglas Sparks.
Charles Paul Sparks was born October 9, 1915, near Charley, a post office in southeastern Lawrence County, Kentucky. He was a son of Charles Clarence and Fannie (France) Sparks and a grandson of Nelson and Calista (Ward) Sparks. (See pp. 3853-3873 of the December 1991 issue of The Sparks Quarterly.)
We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife, his sons, and other family members.
DEATH TAKES HAROLD E. SPARKS
We regret to report the death of Harold E. Sparks who passed away on May 14, 1995, at his home near Secor, Illinois. He is survived by his wife, Joanna (Bailey) Sparks; two sons, David Sparks and Michael Sparks; and two daughters, Sharon (Sparks) Duncan and Susan (Sparks) Johnson.
Harold Eugene Sparks was born March 9, 1925, in El Paso, Illinois, and was a son of Arthur F. and Ruth (Cable) Sparks. His paternal grandparents were Edward L. and Margaret (Geiselman) Sparks, and his great-grandparents were Asa and Amanda (Van Scyoc) Sparks. (See pp. 617-631 of the March 1962 issue of The Sparks Quarterly, Whole No. 37, for further details of his lineage.)
We extend our sympathy to his wife, children, and other family members.
Page 4619-4620
Whole Number 173
ALVIN KEITH BRANDENBURG DIES
It is with regret that we record the death of Alvin Keith Brandenburg who passed away on October 17, 1995, at Mountain Home, Idaho. He was most interested in his Sparks ancestry and was a generous member of the Association. He is survived by his wife, LaVonne (Newman) Brandenburg; a son, Alvin Keith Brandenburg, Jr.; and two daughters, Carol (Brandenburg) Charlton, and Nancy Brandenburg.
Keith (as he was known by his family) Brandenburg was born May 20, 1926, at Checotah, Oklahoma, and was a son of Eugene and Emma Beulah (Sparks) Brandenburg. His maternal grandparents were James Madison and Eva Jean (Park) Sparks of Madison County, Arkansas, and his great-grandparents were Jonah and Margaret (Kirk) Sparks, also of Madison County. Descendants continue to search for the parents of Jonah (or Jonas) Sparks.
We extend our sympathy to his widow and other family members.
Page 4666
Whole Number 174
DEATH TAKES HARRY M. SPARKS
It is with deep regret that we report the death of a longtime member of the Association, Harry M. Sparks, who died on May 20, 1996, at his home in Murray, Kentucky. He had been a most interested and generous member of the Association for over thirty years, and we shall miss him. He is survived by his wife, the former Lois Ogdon Stfles, and two sons, Harry Sparks, Jr. and Phillip Sparks.
Harry M. Sparks was born in Rockcastle County, Kentucky, and was a son of Robert Absalom and Lena (Bentley) Sparks. His paternal grandparents were Absalom and Susan Ann (Turley) Sparks, and his great-grandparents were James and Matilda Sparks of early Harlan and Laurel Counties, Kentucky. (See pp.937940 of the December 1965 issue of the Sparks Quarterly, Whole No. 52, for a biography and photograph of Harry M. Sparks. See also pp.2683-2684 of the December 1984 issue, Whole No. 128, for a query pertaining to this branch of the Sparks family.)
We extend our sympathy to Harry's widow and their two sons and other family members.
Page 4711
Whole Number 175
OBITUARY OF ELIZABETH W. (SPARKS) PICKERING 1849-1906
[Editor's Note: In the Sparks Quarterly of March 1961, Whole No. 33, appeared an article entitled "Jared Sparks (1789-1866)?A Biographical Sketch," at the end of which (page 534) we listed his five children, one of whom was Elizabeth W. Sparks, born May 1, 1849, who was married on March 9, 1876, to Edward C. Pickering. We are grateful to Douglas C. Schenk of Monson, Massachusetts, for xeroxing the following obituary of Mrs. Pickering for us. It appeared in the September 5, 1906, issue of the Stafford Press, a newspaper published in Stafford Springs, Connecticut.
[Jared Sparks, whose portrait appeared on the cover of the Quarterly cited above, was born May 10, 1789, and died on March 14, 1866. He was married twice, first in 1832 to Frances Jane Allen, who died on July 12, 1835. His second wife was Mary Crowinshield Silsbee, by whom he was the father of five children, one of whom was Elizabeth, subject of the following obituary.
[Jared Sparks was a famous American historian of the 19th century, best known for his twelve-volume Writings of George Washington, the first volume of which was a biography of Washington, published between 1834 and 1837. On February 1, 1849, Sparks became the 18th president of Harvard University. Because of his prominence as a scholar, a number of people named Sparks, who were in no way related to Jared Sparks, named sons "Jared" in his honor.]
We clip from the Boston Herald of August 30 [1906] the following about the death of Mrs. Pickering, a daughter of a well-known native of this town: "Mrs. Lizzie Wadsworth Pickering, wife of Prof. Edward C. Pickering, director of the Harvard observatory and professor of astronomy at the university, died late yesterday afternoon at her residence in Cambridge. Mrs. Pickering had been ill for some time. She was the daughter of Jared Sparks, the famous historian, who was the first McLean professor of history in Harvard, and who was president of the college from 1849 to 1853. She was born in Cambridge on May 1, 1856 [error, the year was 1849]. Her education was provided by private tutors and private schools in Cambridge and Boston. On March 9, 1874, she married Mr. Pickering, who even then, a graduate of nine years, was well known as an astronomer. He was at the time professor of physics in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, but two years later, in 1876, was appointed director of the Harvard college observatory and professor of astronomy, and since that time has had his residence on the observatory grounds. Mrs. Pickering took for herself the supervision of the garden plots on the grounds and became an expert in floriculture. She had for many years entire charge of the gardening there, and the observatory grounds vied with the botanic gardens in the matter of floral display. Up to a few years ago she was one of the most energetic of the ladies of the faculty who instituted the 'university teas' for the college students in Brooks House on Friday afternoons. Her gracious presence and superior conversational powers made her an object of attraction at those gatherings and endeared her to many Harvard men. She went abroad in 1883, 1886, 1900, and in 1901. She is survived only by her husband."
Page 4712
DEATH TAKES LLOYD ALBERT SPARKS
We regret to report the death of Lloyd Albert Sparks who passed away on December 25, 1995, at the Princeton [Missouri] Care Center. He is survived by two daughters and two sons. They are: Alice (Sparks) Parker, Leotta (Sparks) Artheton, Benton Sparks, and Albert Sparks.
Lloyd Sparks was born June 15, 1905, at Princeton, Missouri, and was a son of Albert J. and Hazeltine (Griffin) Sparks. His paternal, grandparents were: Truelove, Jr. and Julia Ann (Slavens) Sparks, and his great-grandparents were: Truelove and Nancy (Hall) Sparks. (For further information about this branch of the Sparks family, see page 2164 of the December 1979 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 108, and page 3912 of the March 1992 issue. Whole No. 157.)
We extend our sympathy to Lloyd's children and other family members.
Page 4758-4759
Whole Number 176
THEOPHILUS SPARKS, JR. DIES
It is with deep regret that we report the death of a longtime member of the Associa tion, Theophilus Sparks, Jr., who passed away on October 22, 1996, at Arlington, Texas. He was a most interested and generous supporter of the Association, and we shall miss his counsel. He is survived by his wife, Marie (Gilbert) Sparks; a son, David Sparks; and a daughter, Marie Elaine (Sparks) Christian.
Theophilus Sparks, Jr. was born November 9, 1923, at Fort Worth, Texas; he was a son of Theophilus, Sr., and Sarah (Paris) Sparks His paternal grandparents were John Henry and Mary Dalla (Lane) Sparks, and his great- grandparents were George Washington and Elizabeth Jane (Morgan) Sparks of Union County, Georgia. (See pp. 2519-1524 of the June 1983 issue and pp. 3307-3326 of the December 1988 issues, Whole Nos. 122 and 144, of The Sparks Quarterly for further details of this branch of the Sparks family.)
We extend our sympathy to the widow of Theophilus Sparks, to his children, and to other members of his family.
Page 4779
Whole Number 177
DEATH TAKES ROBERT KENNARD SPARKS, SR.
We record with deep regret the death of longtime and most generous supporter of the Association, Robert Kennard ["Ken"] Sparks, who died on December 4, 1996, at Falmouth, Massachusetts. He leaves to mourn him, his wife, Mary (Fink) Sparks, and two sons, George Powell Sparks and Robert K. Sparks, Jr.
Robert Kennard Sparks, Sr. was born January 16, 1917, at Indianapolis, Indiana. His parents were Warren Powell and Marie (Manthei) Sparks, and his grandparents were Dr. Warren Powell, Sr. and Sarah (Lang) Sparks of Morgantown, Indiana. His great-great-great-great-grandparents were Henry and Lucy (Clark) Sparks, pioneer settlers of Franklin County, Kentucky. (For further details about this branch of the SPARKS family, see the following issues of THE SPARKS Quarterly: June 1956, No. 14; December 1960, No. 32; March 1981, No. 113; and March 1989, No. 145.)
We extend our sympathy to Ken's widow, his sons, and other family members.
Page 4887
Whole Number 179
DEATH TAKES DR. ALFRED M. BOYCE
It is with deep regret that we record the death of Dr. Alfred M. Boyce who passed away on July II, 1997, at his home in Riverside, California. He is survived by two sons. Alien Boyce and Barry Boyce, and a daughter, Karen (Boyce) Risher.
Alfred Mullikin Boyce was born May 2, 1901, near Centreville, Maryland. He was a son of Zollicoffer C. and Delia (Sparks) Boyce. His maternal grandparents were Joseph H. and Anne R. (Hazzard) Sparks, who were married on December 15, 1873, in Caroline County, Maryland. Joseph H. Sparks was a son of --and Elizabeth (MNU) Sparks. She was enumerated on the 1850 census of Queen Annes County, Maryland.
We extend our deepest sympathy to Alfred's children and other family members. The photograph reproduced below was taken about 1910 when Alfred was about nine years old. Included in the photograph are his sister, Lillian, and his parents, Zeil (as he was called) and Delia (Sparks) Boyce.
Page 4887
Whole Number 179
WILLIAM ROBERT SPARKS DIES
It is with deep regret that we record the death of William Robert Sparks who passed away on July 25, 1997, at Louisville, Kentucky. He was buried near his home in the Sulphur [Kentucky] Cemetery. He is survived by his wife. Millicent ["Penny"] Sparks; a daughter, Leota Bonneau; and brothers, Eddie Sparks and Stephen Sparks.
William Robert Sparks was born May 26, 1917, in Trimble County, Kentucky. He was a son of James William and Nannie Lee (Ethington) Sparks of Henry County, Kentucky. (For additional information about his Sparks lineage, see the September and December 1994 issues of the Quarterly, Whole Nos. 167 & 168, respectively.)
Whole Number 180
DEATH TAKES EMERSON TROY SPARKS
It is with deep regret that we report the death of a long-time member of our Association, Emerson Troy Sparks, who passed away on June 18, 1997, just a few days before he would have celebrated his 99th birthday. He became a member of the Association in 1957 and had a keen interest in his Sparks lineage. He is survived by three daughters, Lou Anne (Sparks) Nicks, Audrey Faye Sparks, and Judith Jo Sparks.
Emerson Troy Sparks was born July 28, 1898, in Jefferson County, Alabama, and he was a son of James Monroe and Lou Ann (Coley) Sparks. His paternal grandparents were Thomas and Judith Winn (Brown) Sparks, and his great-grandparents were Leonard and Zeriah (Sparks) Sparks. (An article about Leonard Sparks and his descendants was published in the September 1976 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 95.)
Page 4954
Whole Number 181
DEATH TAKES ANN LEE (GANDY) WALKER
It is with deep sadness that we make a tardy acknowledgement of the death of long-time member, Anna Lee (Gandy) Walker, who passed away on December 16, 1996, in Dallas, Texas. She is survived by her husband, Judge Dee Brown Walker.
Ann Lee (Gandy) Walker was born November 24, 1909, and was a descendant of Matthew J. and Margaret (----- ) Sparks through a granddaughter, Martha Naomi (Sparks) Rutledge. (See the September 1984 issue of the Quarterly, No. 127, for further details of this branch of the Sparks family.)
We extend our sympathy to Judge Walker and other relatives.
DEATH TAKES MARY ELLEN HENSON
We record with regret the death of Mary Ellen Henson who passed away on April 26, 1997, at her home in Elliott County, Kentucky. She is survived by a daughter, Mary Ellen Chandler. Her husband, Jacob C. Henson, died in 1961.
Mary Ellen (Pennington) Henson was born November 30, 1910, in Elliott County, Kentucky, and was a daughter of Ora Nelson and Mona (Green) Pennington. Her maternal grandparents were Samuel Logan and Mary Ellen (Harper) Green, and her great-grandparents were John and Emmaella (Sparks) Harper. (See pp. 4713-4755 of the December 1996 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 176, for further details of this branch of the Sparks family.)
We extend our sympathy to Mary Ellen's daughter and to other family members.
DEATH TAKES DAVID B. ZURSCHMEIDE
We report with regret the death of Dr. David B. Zurschmeide who passed away on August 23, 1997, in San Diego, California, where he was a resident. He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane (Wray) Zurschmelde; two daughters, Jennifer Zurschmeide and Julie (Zurschmeide) Seigler; and a son, Jeffrey Zurschmeide.
David B. Zurschmeide was born October 8, 1940, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Dowling and Pauline (Sparks) Zurschmeide. His maternal grandparents were William Jasper and Mary Elizabeth (Carman) Sparks. (For further details about this branch of the Sparks family, see the December 1989 issue of the Quarterly, No. 148.)
We extend our sympathy to David's wife, children, and other family members.
Page 5010
Whole Number 182
DEATH TAKES CARL BOGGS
It is with deep regret that we record the death of Association member Carl Boggs who passed away on July 10, 1998, at Slidell, Louisiana. He is survived by his wife, Joanne (byers) Boggs; two daughters, Vicki Boggs and Cynthia (Boggs) Taylor; one son, Carl David Boggs; and one brother, John Marvin Boggs, Jr.
Carl Raymond Boggs was born July 21, 1929, at Webbville, Kentucky, and was a son of John Marvin and Emma Maxie (Sparks) Boggs. His maternal grandparents were Milton Elliott and Tennessee (Thompson) Sparks. (For further details of this family, see the September 1977 issue of The Sparks Quarterly, No. 179.)
We extent our deepest sympathy to Carl's wife, children, and other family members.
Page 5021
Whole Number 182
CLINTON SPARKS DIES
We have been saddened to learn of the death of one of our most enthusiastic members, Clinton B. Sparks, who passed away on April 30, 1998, at Catonsville, Maryland. He is survived. by his wife, Geraldine (Bitzer) Sparks, and by a son, Robert Sparks.
Clinton Bryant Sparks was born December 13, 1927, at Gad, West Virginia. He was a son of Andrew Connally Van Bibber and Vina Belle (Copenhaver) Sparks.
His paternal grandparents were William M. and Margaret Elizabeth (Hart) Sparks; his great-grandparents on the Sparks side were James E., Jr. and Elizabeth (Callison) Sparks; his 2nd-great-grandparents were James E. and Mary ["Molly"] (Boggs) Sparks; and his 3rd-great-grandparents were George and Sarah (MNU) Sparks. (For further details of this family, see pp. 4411-36 of the March 1995 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 169.
We extend our sincere sympathy to Clint's wife and son, and to other family members.
Pages 5040-5041
Whole Number 183
OBITUARY OF ALBERT A. SPARKS
(ca. 1846-1911) of Norwich, Connecticut
[Editor's Note: The following obituary was found by one of our members, Douglas C. Schenk of Monson, Massachusetts, while he was perusing a bound volume of the Hartford, Connecticut, Daily Times, for the year 1911. Mr. Schenk very kindly xeroxed this for our use in the Quarterly.
[Albert A. Sparks was a son of John and Selinda (Field) Sparks. He was men- tioned, with brief biographical information, in the article by Thomas F. and Virginia N. Sparks entitled "The Sparkses of New England" that appeared in the March 1987 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 137 (see page 3013).]
Albert A. Sparks, night editor of the Norwich Bulletin. died suddenly Monday morning at his home. He arrived home about 4:30 and, as usual, started to fix the kitchen fire and the furnace fire. His wife arose at 6:15 and when passing the room of her husband noticed that it was vacant. She kept on to the kitchen and found Mr. Sparks on the kitchen floor near the stove. Drs. Stark and Kimball were called. They decided that apoplexy was the cause of death.
Mr. Sparks was born in Killingly, 65 years ago, the son of John Sparks and Selinda Fields Sparks. [His mother's maiden name is believed to have been "Field" rather than "Fields."] He entered the Bulletin office and mastered the trade of a printer about the time of the Civil War. He became an expert workman and later he went to San Francisco, and was there during the time of a big earthquake. He returned to Norwich and on August 5, 1869, married Margaret L. Andrews of Preston. Mrs. Sparks died and left a daughter, who is now the wife of Judge George E. Parsons, the clerk of the superior court. On October 25, 1876, Mr. Sparks married Lucy A. Rogers, a native of Groton. She survives her husband, together with two sons?Merton F. Sparks of Elgin, IL. and Earl L. Sparks of Norwich.
Page 5136
Whole Number 185
DEATH TAKES BETTY JANE (HARKNESS) CAIN
It is with deep regret that we report the passing of a loyal member of our Association for the past twenty years, Betty Jane Cain. Born on October 23, 1918, in Portland, Oregon, Mrs. Cain died on January 7, 1999, at Spring Valley, California. A daughter of Frederick H. and Margaret(Hackett)Harkness,she was a descendant of Nicholas and Mary (Ridley) Sparks who were married in Truro, Massachusetts, on February 13, 1728/29. (See the Quarterly of March 1979, Whole No. 105, for a record of this branch of the Sparks family.)
Mrs. Cain was a homemaker, a Girl Scout leader, and president and life member of her local PTA. Her principal hobby had been genealogy. Survivors include her husband of 56 years, Albert Cain, Sr.; sons Albert C. Cain, Jr. and John E. Cain; daughter Margaret A. Adams; one brother and two grandchildren.
We extend our sympathy to the members of Mrs. Cain's family.
Page 5136
Whole Number 185
Death Takes ROBERT R. SPARKS
We have been saddened to learn of the death of Robert R. Sparks on December 20, 1998, at his home in Catonsville, Maryland. He is survived by a nephew, George H. Sparks of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. His wife of 62 years, the former Mable Jeanette Bean, died in 1995.
Roberts Richardson Sparks was born in October 1908. He was a son of James Walker and Elizabeth (Richardson) Sparks. His paternal grandparents were Benjamin Hume and Martha (Brown) Sparks of Madison County, Virginia. (For further details of his Sparks ancestry, see the December 1964 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 48.)
We extend our sympathy to his nephew and other family members.
Page 5197
Whole Number 187
DEATH TAKES ELEANOR (McCAULEY) WORLEY
We have been saddened to learn of the death from cancer of Eleanor Russell (McCauley) Worley (Mrs. David P.) on October 22, 1998. Mrs. Worley had been born on April 10, 1922. A member of our Association since 1981, she has been a most generous and helpful supporter through the years. According to her son, David, her genealogical records have been placed with the Delaware County, Ohio, Historical Society.
Mrs. Worley was a descendant of Richard Sparks, subject of an article in the Quarterly of June 1999, Whole No. 186, beginning on page 5149. Her descent was through Richard's son, Walter Sparks (ca.1760-ca.1827) who was featured in in the Quarterly of December 1987, Whole No. 140. We quoted from Mrs. Worley's extensive research on Walter Sparks, Jr. (born ca.1802) whose first wife was Nancy King, beginning on page 3167. A photograph of Mrs. Worley's grandparents, John Samuel and Anna Cora (Power) Sparks, appeared on page 3159.
Page 5252
Whole Number 188
DEATH TAKES CROSBY SPARKS
We regret to report the passing of a loyal member of our Association, Crosby Sparks, a resident of Winchester, Kentucky. His son, Robert C. Sparks, has sent us a copy of his fathers obituary that appeared in the Winchester Sun on October 19th.
Crosby Sparks, like our late President, Paul E, Sparks, was a descendant of John and Sarah (Shores) Sparks of Wilkes County, North Carolina. Crosby^ descent was through John and Sarah's son, Levi Sparks (1778-1851) while Paul's great-great-grandfather, George G. Sparks (1796-1879), was a brother of Levi. (See the article devoted to Levi and his family in the Quarterly of June 1996, Whole No. 174, pp.4638-66. A reference to Parish Sparks, father of Crosby, appears on page 4655.)
Crosby Sparks, a native of Lawrence County, Kentucky, was 86 years old at the time of his death on October 18, 1999. He was a retired employee of the Lexington-Bluegrass Army Depot and an active member of the local Amateur Radio Association. He was a graduate of Kentucky Wesleyan College and a civilian employee of the Signal Corps during World War II, He was a member of the First Baptist Church, East Lexington Avenue, in Winchester.
In addition to his wife. Myrtle R. Sparks, Crosby is survived by two sons, Robert C. Sparks of Clarkston, Michigan, and Stephen D. Sparks of Milford, Ohio; a stepdaughter, Linda R. Woosley of Winchester; four grandchildren, one step-grandchild, and a sister, Nina Sparks of Winchester. We extend our sympathy to Crosby's family.
Page 5392
Whole Number 190
DEATH TAKES EVA VIRGINIA (SPARKS) FIELDS
Dorothy Sparks Murphy, sister of the Association's late President, Paul E. Sparks, has written to tell us of the death of her and Paul's sister, Eva Virginia (Sparks) Fields, on December 19, 1999. Mrs. Fields, daughter of James ["Jim"] William and Sarah Elizabeth (Conley) Sparks, had been born at Yatesville, Kentucky, on November 12, 1912. She had been married to Roy C. Fields on June 9, 1934, in Boyd County, Kentucky. In the Quarterly of December 1999, Whole No.188, we published, beginning on page 5270, an account Paul had written a number of years ago, about his parents and siblings.
In her letter, Mrs. Murphy noted: "I am the only one left in my family. I miss talking on the phone to Paul, who died March 4, 1999. He would always tell me something amusing. I have three cousins and myself left in our generation. I will be 78 next Monday, January 31, 2000."
Page 5499
Whole Number 193
DEATH TAKES JACK B. SPARKS
We regret to report the death, at age 93, of Jack B. Sparks, a member of our Association since 1983. He lived in Renton, Washington, where he owned the firm Sparks Electric. He had been born July 4, 1907, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and died on December 14, 2000. Jack was a son of John Burton and Ada Louise (Lewis) Sparks. He was a gr.-gr.-gr.-grandson of William Sparks (ca.1760-ca.1827) of Pennsylvania and Kentucky about whom we published an article in the December 1987 issue of the Quarterly, Whole No. 140, pp.3129-63. Jack's great-grandfather, Owen Sparks, is noted on page 3138.
Jack B. Sparks was a member of the May Creek Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints. He is survived by his wife, Ina Ree Sparks; also sons Jack B. Sparks, Jr. and Michael 0. Sparks, also daughters Louanna R. Cook, Marla K. Wright, and Lynette J. Sparks, and his sister, Violet Tamura. We extend our sympathy to Mr. Sparks's family.
Page 5551
Whole Number 194
DEATH TAKES DR. SHERMAN PAUL SPARKS
Dr. Robert D. Sparks, one of our most supportive members of the Sparks Family Association, has written to tell us of the death of his father, Dr. Sherman Paul Sparks of Rockwall, Texas. Sherman joined the Association in 1975 and continued as a sustaining member until recently. His son, Robert, also of Rockwall, has noted that his father had been active in various historical societies and was Presi?dent of the local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. He added that his father is greatly missed in his community--"his large shoes are difficult to fill."
Sherman Sparks was a son of Ernest Melvin Sparks (born September 3, 1872) and a grandson of Bateman R. Sparks (1841-1918) and Catharine E. (Habermeir) Sparks. Bateman R. Sparks, son of Ezra and Catherine (Griffey) Sparks, was a veteran of the Union Army in the Civil War. He was featured in the Quarterly of September 1976, Whole No. 95; his photograph appeared on the cover of that issue.
We extend our deep sympathy to members of Sherman's family.
Whole Number 196
DEATH TAKES DR. CLAUD GLENN SPARKS
We regret to report the death on November 3, 2001, of Dr. Claud Glenn Sparks of Austin, Texas. Called Glenn by his many friends, he was a descendant of 17.2.4.1 Richard and Sarah (Peterson) Sparks, a branch of the Sparks family that was featured in the Quarterly of June 1978, Whole No.102, beginning on page 1993. Richard Sparks, a native of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, was a probable son of 17.2.4 Samuel Sparks, originally from Maryland. It was in Newton County, Arkansas, that Richard and Sarah Sparks died, Richard between 1860 and 1870, and Sarah between 1870 and 1880. They were the parents of thirteen children.
Dr. Sparks, born in 1922, received his Bachelor of Science degree from East Texas State College in 1941. Immediately thereafter he entered military service in the European Theater of Operations with the Headquarters, Advance Section Communications Zone; he received his discharge in 1945. In 1949, Glenn was awarded his Master of Arts degree from Texas Christian University, and in 1952 the Master of Library Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin. In 1967, he completed his Ph.D. degree at the University of Michigan.
Glenn had a distinguished career in both academic library administration and as a library educator. He served as dean of the Graduate School of Library Science at the University of Texas at Austin between 1973 and 1982. He became an early member of our Association.
We extend our sympathy to his widow, Lou Turner Sparks, and to their daughter, Anne Frances Sparks Lightfield.