James Lonnie Sparks

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and 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;…Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 James Lonnie Sparks, 49, a believer in Jesus Christ, a trust friend and faithful father entered into the eternal realm on Saturday, June 28, 2014, at the Johnson City Medical Center. He was born on April 6, 1965, in Sullivan County, Tennessee, the son of the late David Albert Sparks and Wilma Shirlene Hawkins Sparks. Mr. Sparks was a truck driver for many years and loved discussing the Bible, riding his motorcycle and working on his classic Wheel Horse garden tractor that had been left to him by his Grandfather. He was also known for his love of classic rock music, watching Nascar and visiting Bays Mountain to meet with the amateur astronomer’s club there. Mr. Sparks especially enjoyed attending the Star Fest event which the amateur astronomer’s hold each year. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Emmett and Juanita Hawkins and by one uncle, Stanford Hawkins. Survivors include, one son, Ryan Sparks and fiancé Tonya Norris; one daughter, Leyna Cummings and husband Gordon; and four grandchildren, Lukas Cummings, Brookelyn Cummings, James Sparks and Kaylee Begley; and although we can’t mention them all, Lonnie also leaves behind many friends; of these many considered him as close as a brother and all of whom will never fully recover from this tragedy. He will be sorely missed. The family received friends Wednesday, July 2, 2014 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm in the East Lawn Funeral Home. Graveside services were held Thursday, July 3, 2014 at 10:00am in Tri-Cities Memory Gardens. Pallbearers were Roger Vaughn, Mike Lane, Terry Fields, Russell Vaughn, John Mooney and Robbie Nunley. East Lawn Funeral Home, 4997 Memorial Blvd, Kingsport, TN 37664; 423-288-2081; was honored to serve the Sparks family.