Thelma Sparks

Thelma J. Sparks, 88, of Mansfield, died Monday, November 23, 2009, at her residence. Born August 12, 1921, in Mason, West Virginia, she was the daughter of Mitchell and Martha Hatfield Steele. A homemaker, she was raised in St. Louis, MO and had previously worked at the Clark Bar Candy Factory in St. Louis. She was a member of The Salvation Army Corps, Ashland and loved her time spent ringing the Salvation Army Kettle Bell outside of K-Mart in Ashland for 15 years. Thelma was an avid reader of Christian novels and enjoyed teaching Bible Study with her grandchildren.

Surviving are a son, Jeffrey Catherine Sparks; two step-sons, Joe Beulah Sparks and Pete Bonnie McKinney all of Mansfield; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Peter Morgan Sparks; a son, Daniel Storm Sparks; grandson, James Daniel Sparks; and several sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 30, 2009, at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond Street, Mansfield, conducted by Rev. Clifford Earl Tackett. Friends may call one hour prior to the services at the funeral home on Monday. Burial will follow in Mansfield Cemetery.