Melba Truelove Sparrow

Melba Truelove Sparrow passed away on Saturday, June 18, 2016, surrounded by her loving family and many friends. Melba was born in Harnett County on September 14, 1940. She was married to Julian “Ray” Sparrow, her devoted husband of 43 years. Melba worked side by side with Ray for many years as Finance Officer of Sparrow Construction, Inc. managing architectural and construction projects for the Company as well as keeping the books. In 1993, she received an Honorary Merit Award for Outstanding Service to the Construction Industry by the National Association of Women in Construction. In addition to being one of the first two women ever elected to the Cary Town Council, serving for 12 years, Melba also served two years as Cary Mayor-Pro-tem. She was a graduate of Apex High School and received her college degree in Business Management from Meredith College. Her education was greatly enriched by the numerous local and national business institutes she attended during her years at Sparrow Construction, Inc.

Melba Sparrow was known not only for her profound interest in civic matters and her dedication to causes that made a difference in her community, but also for her diversity of friends. Her kindness to her family, friends and neighbors knew no limits. Even those who did not know her benefitted from her generosity through her service. Melba’s participation in civic and community life included membership on the WakeMed Foundation Board of Directors, The Wake Technical College Board of Trustees, The Board of Directors of The Triangle Bank, The Cary Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, The YWCA Triangle Board of Directors, The Meredith Board of Associates and The Meredith Library Board of Directors. Melba also served as Chairman of The Cary Visual Arts, Inc. Board, on The Habitat for Humanity Board, The Zonta Club of Raleigh Board, The Raleigh-Wake County Home Builders Auxiliary Board and on The Governor’s Board on Women and the Economy. In 2004, Melba received Cary’s James E. Atkins Citizen of the Year Award. Most recently, Melba served as an officer on the Board of Directors of the Sears-Stone Retirement Community. Melba was also the author of a small business reference book, “Business As Usual–Or Is It?”, published in 1999.

Left to cherish her memory are her devoted husband, J. “Ray” Sparrow; Mary Sparrow, of Oakton, Virginia, wife of her deceased step-son, Ray, Jr.; step-daughters, Michele Sparrow of Springfield, Virginia, and Melanie Bills (Tom) of Lebanon, Ohio; six grandchildren, Lee Bills, Stuart Bills, Raymond Sparrow (Lara), Kerry Sparrow, Christine Sparrow, and Will Sparrow; sister, Shirley Drake (Ronnie); niece, Deana Bagley and nephew, Ron Drake; great-niece, Hallie Stevens and great-nephew, Drake Stevens.

A Service of Death and Resurrection celebrating the life of Melba Sparrow will be held on Sunday, June 26, 2016, at 3:00 p.m. at The First United Methodist Church of Cary, 117 S. Academy Street, Cary, NC 27511. A reception at the church will immediately follow the service.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Melba’s name to: The First United Methodist Church of Cary, 117 S. Academy Street, Cary, NC 27511; Transitions LifeCare , 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607; YMCA of the Triangle, 801 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27607.