Sparks Freeman Jr.

age of 94. He was born in Quintown, AL on July 10, 1928 to Sparks and Willie Rimel Freeman.

Sparks grew up in Arkadelphia, AL during the Great Depression, attending church and school there. He graduated from Cold Springs High School, Cullman county, in 1945. After high school graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. army and attended college in the Army Specialized Training Program (A.S.T.P.) for one year. He attended Clemson University, Virginia Military Institute, and Texas A&M University in this program. He was discharged at the end of World War II and completed his education at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Here he received a B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering, Class of 1949.

During his professional career, Sparks worked for the State of Alabama DOT, E.I. DuPont De Nemours, Inc. on construction of the Savannah River Plant near Aiken, South Carolina. He worked 41 years for Walter Schoel Engineering Co. in Birmingham, AL and retired as VicePresident in 1997. He was active in consulting engineering and land surveying relevant to commercial and residential development in Jefferson and surrounding counties. He was a registered Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor in the State of Alabama. Sparks was a Life Member of The American Society of Civil Engineers and a retired member of The Alabama Society of Professional Land Surveyors.

Sparks was a member of The First Baptist Church of Gardendale, AL from 1957-2023, 66 years. He worked and supported the church for all these years. He saw it grow from a small church on Main Street to a larger South Campus on Main Street, then to The North Campus on I-65. He was a charter member of the Gardendale High School Quarterback Club and the Band Boosters Club. He was active in the lay-out and construction planning of Driver Stadium. He was a former member of the Civitan Club. He enjoyed his breakfast club, “The Cracker Barrel Mafia” and he loved Alabama sports especially Alabama football.

Sparks is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife of 49 years, Virginia Smith Freeman; his sisters Letha Mae Boren (Alton), Imogene Miner (Pruitt), Martha Sue Mahaffey (Bobby); brotherin-law Talmadge Smith (Bud) and a niece, Nelda Boren Freeman. He is survived by his daughter, Melissa Freeman Jett (Billy) of Chelsea, his son Sparks Freeman III (Buzz) of Trussville, his granddaughter, Shelby Laine Freeman of Virginia, and sister-in-law Tavia Smith of Cullman. He has 2 nieces, Heidi Walker (Ricky), Anita Carol McCroskey (Steve); 3 nephews, Mitchell Smith (Sheila), Hal Miner (Robin), and Keith Mahaffey (Ann).

Sparks is survived by his second wife of 16 years Mavoline Glaze Freeman, step-son Van Glaze (Penny) of Birmingham, step-daughter Brenda Glaze of Pelham, step-grandson Taylor Glaze (Katy) of Vestavia, step-granddaughter Kendall Glaze of North Carolina and 2 step-great grandchildren.

Services for Sparks will be held Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at Ridout's Gardendale Chapel, 2029 Decatur Highway, Gardendale, AL 35071. A time of visitation will begin at 10:00 AM followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. Sparks will be laid to rest in Oakwood Memorial Gardens, Gardendale, AL.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Gardendale First Baptist Church, Missions Fund,

940 Main St., Gardendale, AL 35071.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsgardendalechapel.com for the Freeman family.