James “Lester” Sparks, 78, of Cookeville, passed away Oct. 18, 2020, from complications from a long battle with cancer.
Mr. Sparks was born Sept. 18, 1942, in Sparta, to Charlie Uvalda Sparks and Illa Dezion Knowles Sparks.
He graduated from White County High School and then earned an electrical engineering degree from Tennessee Technological University. Mr. Sparks retired after teaching electrical trades and electronics for 31 years at Richmond Technical Center, in Richmond, Virginia. He also served as a deacon and an elder in the church of Christ for many years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Lou Kinnard Sparks (they married Sept. 1, 1962 and were married 55 years when she passed away); daughter, Dinah Lynn Sparks; brother, William Sparks; brother-in-law, Clyde Newman; sister-in law, Shirley Sparks; and brother-in-law, Charles Stone.
Survivors include his son, Paul Timothy Sparks and wife Marsha Sparks, of Baxter; two daughters, Rachel Carrie Mayes and husband Barry Mayes, of Goodlettsville, Deborah Sue "Debbie" Sparks, of Cookeville; three grandchildren, Cora Isabel Mayes-Barron and husband John Mayes-Barron, Annabelle Grace Mayes, Isaac Edward Sparks; his siblings, Myree Sparks (sister-in-law), Lydia Newman, Charles Sparks, Illa Elizabeth “Liz” Stone, Dianna and Joseph Neal, John and Linda Sparks, Estel “Ray” and Benita Sparks, Gary and Debra Sparks; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m., Oct. 27, 2020, at Willow Avenue Church of Christ, in Cookeville, with burial in O’Connor Cemetery, in White County. James Allen Sparks, Ken Stone, John Sparks, and Robert Sparks will officiate. The family will receive friends 5-8 p.m., Oct. 26, and 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Oct. 27, at the church.
Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
Per the family's request and for the well-being of everyone, visitors will be required to wear a mask and observe social distancing measures.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:
Healing Hands International
455 McNally Drive
Nashville, TN 37211
(615) 832-2000
*OR*
Happy Haven Children's Home
2311 Wakefield Drive
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 526-2052
Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home, in Cookeville, is in charge of arrangements.
