Cherie Wells Sparks

Cherie Wells Sparks, 67, passed away unexpectantly on September 10th, 2022 in Tampa, Florida after a battle with cancer. Cherie is survived by her beloved husband of 48 years Steven Sparks of Louisville, KY, whom she met in the Walnut Street Baptist Church Choir. She is also survived by her two sons, Steve Sparks Jr. and Matthew Sparks, her daughter-in-law, Rosie Sparks (nee Kiashek), and her pride and joy, two lovely granddaughters, Olivia(9) and Alice(7). Born in southern Indiana on August 17, 1955 to L.D and Eugenia Wells, Cherie was the middle child of 5 siblings, she is further survived by her sisters, Kathie Eustice, Karen Johnson and April Simon, plus her only brother Eric Wells, as well as her nephews, Daniel Wells, Patrick Simon and Christian Simon, and niece Erica Hides. A family woman at heart, Cherie was also a proud working mother, a business professional and certified Project Manager holding positions at some of Kentuckiana's top businesses including Capital Holding Insurance, Insight Cablevision and Time Warner Cable to name a few. Always adept at balancing work and motherhood, Cherie soon became a central figure in her boys soccer league and in almost any of their interests she would eventually find herself in positions of leadership. For many years, Cherie’s home was often filled with her sons’ friends and teammates where her enviable organizational skills often came into play and snacks were plentiful. A beloved wife and mother to her husband and her own two children, Cherie cherished her family deeply. She loved watching her eldest son Steve perform in school plays as a child, and was not at all surprised when he found his calling as a professional musician and entertainer as an adult; she similarly delighted in watching her youngest son Matthew become an accomplished professional modern dancer and musician himself. Cherie was all smiles at the wedding of her son Steve Jr. to his wife Rosie (nee Kiashek) in 2011, and was truly overjoyed when she welcomed her two grandbabies—Olivia in 2012, and Alice in 2015. At last she had two girls to spoil and join her on her shopping adventures. Like everything she put her mind to, Cherie was an exceptional grandmother. She spent countless hours with her granddaughters, playing puzzles, making Rice Krispie treats, going shopping, and doing their nails. Whether she was making the drive to Long Island, or to her sisters lakehouse, or having the family down to their home in Lake Wales Florida, Cherie made it a point to spend as much time with her family as possible. For the last five years of her life, Cherie was a resident of Lake Wales, Florida with her husband Steven. Together they enjoyed the hot summers and temperate winters in retirement, having truly earned that classic Bermuda shorts-and-sandals lifestyle. Curious and cheerful by nature, Cherie loved to experiment in the kitchen and was always cooking up something delicious to share. In more recent years she could be found tending to her garden, looking after her beautiful flowers, enjoying the sunshine or planning her next worldwide adventure with husband Steve. Cherie had a wicked sense of dry humor, and she used it well. She told great stories about her kids, her siblings and her work family to whom ever would listen. Her family mourns her sudden passing, having been looking forward to many more years together. She will be greatly missed by the countless friends, family, and colleagues who knew and loved her best. Visitation will be 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm Thursday at Kraft Funeral Service, 2776 Charlestown Road, New Albany, Indiana. Her Funeral Service will begin at 10:00 am Friday at the funeral home chapel with burial to follow at Hiseville Cemetery in Hiseville, Kentucky. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kraftfs.com for the Sparks family.