August 10, 2023, 84, Mount Olive —
Evelyn Sutton Sparks, a resident of the Smith Chapel community near Mount Olive, passed away Thursday night, August 10, 2023, at Goldsboro Assisted Living where she had briefly been cared for. She was 84.
Mrs. Sparks was the daughter of the late Harvey and Janie Britt Sutton and was native to the Smith Chapel community. She was a member of Eureka Christian Church at Grantham. Being a military wife, the family had lived in various places. Having received training to become a registered nurse, she found employment in many locales of residency, including Providence Hospital in Mobile, Alabama, a nursing center in Blanco, Texas, a hospital in Northern Va., Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro, and Wayne County Health Department from which she retired.
Mrs. Sparks is survived by her beloved husband, Robert B. Sparks, to whom she married on January 6, 1960. Also surviving are two sons, Robert Craig Sparks and wife, Kim, of Whispering Pines, NC, and Jeff T. Sparks of Mount Olive; grandchildren, Robert Tyler Sparks, serving in the United States Army in Germany, and his wife, Aisha, serving with the United States Army at Fort Hood, Texas, Timothy Sutton Sparks, a student at the University of North Dakota, Matthew Ryan Sparks and wife, Emily, of Goldsboro, and Casey Nicole Sparks of Goldsboro; and a great-granddaughter, Hattie Renee Sparks of Goldsboro.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her two older sisters, Myrtle S. Bushee, and Ersel S. Keene; and a daughter-in-law, Renee McRae Sparks.
The Sparks family will have visitation at Tyndall Funeral Home on Sunday, August 13, from 6 until 8 p.m. A private service will be held for the family and will be officiated by the Rev. Frank Purvis.
Flowers are welcome, or memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Eastern NC Chapter, 5171 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 101, Raleigh NC 27612, or to the charity of one’s choice.
The family extends sincere appreciation to Gentiva Home Care and Hospice, especially to Julie Lee, Nikki Wolfe, Leslie Lane, and the Rev. Patrick Muston, for exemplary dedication and service in caring for their loved one. Also, special thanks to Goldsboro Assisted Living Center for the outstanding care provided during Mrs. Sparks’ brief stay.
