Helen Sue Sparks

It is with great sadness that the family of Helen Sparks announce her passing on September 17, 2021at the age of 85. She had her family at her bedside. Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She is survived by her son Doug (Femi) Sparks, daughter Susan (Paul) Lukan, 7 grandchildren – Keith (Alaina) Sparks, Lindsey Cassidy, Lauren (Matthew) Rademacher, Kevin Sparks, Lisa Cassidy, Heather Sparks and Kimberly Sparks, 12 great grandchildren, brother Frank James, daughter-in-law Denise Sparks, and many loving nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband of 55 years Edward Sparks, her son David Sparks, her parents, Eula (Wyatt) James & Charles James, her brother Charles James and sister-in-law Patricia James.

She was born on December 30, 1935 in Detroit, MI. Her family moved to Cookeville, TN where she grew up before moving back to Michigan in 1951. She graduated from East Detroit High School in 1953. She had a blind date with a guy named Edward on August 26, 1953, but he had dental work done that day so he didn’t feel great so they tried again. The rest was history. While in the Navy, Edward was stationed in Norfolk, VA. He hitchhiked home and they eloped in Indiana on February 6, 1954. After his discharge from the Navy, they moved to Ocala, FL where he had MLB training camp. They started their family in Roseville, Michigan and settled in Harrison Township, Michigan in 1965. They attended and served at Calvary Baptist Church, then Shelby Bible Church from 1960 to 1997. They were snowbirds for several years while their grandchildren were growing up, then moved to Hudson, FL full time in July 1997, where they accepted visitors and loved to host their families on spring breaks. After Edward died in 2009, Helen stayed in Florida until 2015, then moved closer to her daughter in a retirement home where her nickname was “The Mayorette.”

She was the aunt that all the nieces and nephews gravitated to. She was the family historian and kept in touch with everyone, until her dementia no longer allowed. She was a great big sister, carrying her brother (who was 15 years younger) all over with her growing up. She was an amazing grandma and took turns hosting one grandchild every weekend for many years while they were all young. Her parents both lived with her family at various points and she actively cared for them until death. She cared for her husband of 55 years during his illness and until death. She spent the last two weeks of her son’s life loving him and being at his bedside before he passed.

She worked at L'anse Creuse School District from 1967-1997, starting as a secretary to the librarian at the high school. She then retired from the administration office. She oversaw many elections and also helped many awesome teachers get hired into the district. She had a great rapport with students and staff and we still hear from past students who say she was such a positive role model to them. She also led Bible studies at school.

She had an infectious laugh, loved God, loved traditional hymns but also a good raspy soulful country song. She was the hostess with the mostest and loved decorating her home, especially for Christmas. The house was always company ready. She prepared homemade family dinner every night. She enjoyed many activities including knitting, sewing, crafts, painting, baking desserts, and gardening. She was an avid reader - Agatha Christie’s detective novels were some of her favorites. She also loved anything to do with Downton Abbey. She was always eager to learn new things like sign language, to enhance her career and personal life, and interpret church services for the deaf. She was independent and loved to shop, travel, and collect various antique items. She was never afraid of what life threw at her, she took it by the horns, dealt with it and moved on. She found strength in her faith.

When Helen and Ed retired and moved to Florida, they attended Grace Bible Church. She volunteered at Grace Christian School and the West Pasco Pregnancy Center. She was part of the Red Hatters, and played a mean game of cards with local friends. They also had a Thursday morning breakfast group where they would gather for over two hours talking and laughing. She always had something to say, and it was usually witty and funny. You never knew what might come out of her mouth. She enjoyed sunsets at Hudson beach and grouper at The Gulf Inn. Despite her dementia and declining health over the last 6 years, she loved to get out and see the coast, historical landmarks and take trips to TN with her daughter and son in law to see her brother and niece. She also loved the Biltmore Estate at Christmas. In her last year she lived at The Reserve at Mills Farm Assisted Living where she was loved and cared for by wonderful angels.

A private Celebration of Life will be held on a later date. Please consider a donation to:

Transitions Hospice 250 Hospice Cir, Raleigh, NC 27607

"...And I'll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down

And I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it some day for a crown"

George Bennard

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven; A time to be born, a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate;

A time of war, and a time of peace.