Mary Elizabeth Sparrow

Mary Elizabeth “Libby” Jones Sparrow departed this life on Saturday, September 12th, 2015 at the Johnson City Medical Center at the age of 93. She was born on August 29th 1922 at 318 Railroad Street in Greeneville Tennessee to the late Maggie Duncan Jones and Elmo Jones Sr. “Libby” was the 2nd of 5 children. She was preceded in death by her husband Johnny J.P. “Bird” Sparrow, sister Florence Lee Jones Westfield, brother Elmo, ”June” Jones Jr., niece Sonera Thomas (June’s daughter) and nephew Elliot “Bill” Westfield.

Libby began her education at George Clem, graduating from High School at the age of 14. She furthered her studies in Rogersville and then on to Swift College pledging with the Zeta Phi Beta chapter.

At 18 she joined a minstrel group Silias Green from New Orleans where she traveled as dancer, choreographer and singer. Libby met “Bird” and spent several years touring with his musical group “Johnny Sparrow and his Bow and Arrows”. She and Bird took up residence in Philadelphia, Pa. and finally settled in Baltimore Maryland. In the mid 1960’s Libby began her employment with the Baltimore City School System working as a secretary and educator for 25 years. Libby decided to return home to Greeneville once she retired in 1992.

Libby accepted the Lord at a young age. She was baptized at Friendship Baptist Church of Greeneville. Libby moved her membership to 7th Day Adventist Church and attended until her health prevented her to do so.

She leaves behind her brother Jesse Jones (Mosheim TN) who devoted himself to her care, Sister Hanan Abdullah (Pat) Baltimore Md. Clara Campbell devoted former sister-in- law. While Libby did not have children of her own she blessed so many of her nieces and nephews treating them with extra special love and attention in only the way she could do. Dante Westfield (Florence), Elmo, Weldon, Cory , Ladene , and Mary Helen Jones (June’s children) Yvonne (Dee Dee) and husband Joe, Jesse Jr. and wife Jacqueline, Marion “Twinkles” and husband Charles, Brenda and husband Nadir(Jesse’s children) and William (Percy), Florence (Sissy), Pam, Anita, Bernita, and Sandora (Sandy) (Pat’s children) Special friends Brenda Crawford and great nephew Micah Holifield. There are a host of great nieces and nephews as well.

Libby loved life. She brought sunshine and a smile whenever she entered the room. Her love for music was only followed by her joy of reading and enjoying visits from family and friends. Libby’s smile and that chuckle of a laugh will be missed but we know that we will see her again.

“His Eye Is On the Sparrow and I Know He Watches Me”

The family invites you to come and share memories during a visitation period on Sunday, September 27th from 2:00-4:00 at Kiser Rose Hill Funeral Home in Greeneville. At 4:00 pm there will be a time of reflection together.