evelyn may (smitherman) sparks
SPARKS WINSTON-SALEM Evelyn May
Smitherman Sparks Sept. 11, 1925 - Jan. 8, 2013 Evelyn May Smitherman
Sparks, 87, of 4950 Beckel Road, died peacefully the morning of January
8, 2013 at Forsyth Medical Center. Members of her family were at her
bedside. She had been struggling with Parkinson's Disease and resided
at Southfork Senior Living Community for the past one and a half years.
Evelyn was born in Forsyth County on September 11, 1925, to Flora
Katherine and Jether Alonzo Smitherman. She was married in 1946 to
Cecil Max Sparks, who died in 1996. Early in their marriage they worked
together for four years at Jackson Training School in Concord, a North
Carolina residential facility for juvenile offenders. Max taught math
and Evelyn was housemother for the boys in their care. Later on, giving
credit to an accounting course at Elkin High School, she became a
bookkeeper at the former Farmers Dairy, then at the former Buena Vista
Shop, The Summit School, and Douglas Battery Company, from which she
retired. Her garden was bountiful, her pantry filled with canned goods,
and her meals treasured by all who sat at her table. Through all of her
life, with its ups and downs, she never lost her sense of humor. Her
extended family, on her 80th birthday, named her 'caretaker of the
century" for the generous, compassionate care she gave through the
years to those in need of nurturing and healing. She is survived by
three sons: William J. Sparks (Marla) of Lewisville; Timothy K. Sparks
(Chryll) of Minneapolis; and Steven B. Sparks (Beth) of Welcome. Also,
grandchildren: Tara Pitts (Brad) of Lewisville; Melisse Dunham (Mac) of
New Bern; Garret Sparks (Maggie) of Pfafftown; Bryan Sparks (Melissa)
of Lexington; Jessie Musgrove (Rick) of Winston-Salem, Tyler Sparks
(Michael) of Winston-Salem; Donovan Weimar (Sarah) of Minneapolis and
Terri de Pardo (Fernando) of Minneapolis. Also great-grandchildren:
Mallory and Campbell Pitts; Will, Charlotte and Sophie Dunham; Claire,
Kate and Anna Sparks; Skylar and Dayton Sparks, Riley Richardson,
Kenzie Musgrove; Roman and Cassandra Pardo; and Kayla, Madison and Max
Weimar. Three siblings survive: Opal Smitherman Mabe of Phoenix, Joan
Smitheman Dawson of Winston-Salem and Wes Smitherman (Lynette) of
Jamestown. A visitation is planned at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home on
Silas Creek Parkway between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Saturday,
January 19. A private graveside service will be held on Sunday. January
20. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Parkinson's Disease
Foundation 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018 or the Michael
J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, P.O.
Box 4777, New York, NY 10163. Online condolences may be made at
www.hayworth-miller.com.